<@Ciara> [Date: Afternoon of Sunday, May 9th, 2004] <@Ciara> [It is the time of Haruko's (and Maki's, and some of the other new residents') open house party!] <@Ciara> [People are encouraged to drop by anytime. There's food and drink set up in the main room, in the shared crafting/recreation room, some things in the kitchen, and some space up on the roof for people to hang out.] <@Ciara> [The doors to the bedrooms are closed unless people want them to be open.] <@Ciara> [Haruko has contributed Nori-shio chips, gyoza, and edamame. Maki hit the local bakery and brought a variety of buns and rolls and small breads, with fillings sweet and savory. Other dishes include seasoned rice crackers and mochi and some other snacks!] <@Ciara> [Also booze, but we'll let Haruko take the lead on describing there.] <@Ciara> [Right now it's mostly the house residents. Haruko is there, and Maki who's eyeing the food tables and wondering what is okay to take. Chidori is up on the roof hanging up some decorations. Suzume is bustling about somewhere, along with the other girls of the household.] <@Ciara> [Guests are arriving!] <@Ciara> [Session Start!] * Haruko has scrounged up some bar starter options. Presently listed options include Matcha Hai, Lemon Sour, and Gin and Tonics. <@Ciara> [There are also sodas and cold green teas for those who do not wish to booze.] <@Ciara> [Maki is in that latter category, and has a bottle of cold green tea.] * Haruko is not quite a full flurry of active, she does tend to be present at any given place for a bit, but when conversation partners divert their attention moment, she's quickly off preparing a drink, welcoming another guest, or making introductions. <@Ciara> [Tsubame arrives, and is greeted warmly by fellow book club member Suzume. Maki is sticking with the Motor Club people at the moment.] * Haruko is wearing the dress Kyon saw the other day, a simple blue bottom layer with gossamer secondary layers atop in both darker blue and sea foam. The bottom is a series of overlapping diamond cuts which tend to reveal her legs as she moves but hide them when she's still. * Haruko has small semi-precious blue-greem gem stud earrings and is wearing blue lipstick with light eyeshadow to match. She decided against a pointed hat because she ran out of time and it did seem too on the nose. * Haruko heads over to welcome Tsubame as well. <@Ciara> [Tsubame enthusiastically greets Haruko and hands her a bottle wrapped in paper with a bamboo design.] <@Ciara> [Chidori pops down from the roof - she's got an adorable cream- colored dress with cute, round little birds printed in black ink on the fabric. She probably made it herself.] * Haruko glances eagerly at the bottle for a moment and gives a bow and expresses her gratitude as she takes it. She focuses again on her guest before opening it. "Would you like anything to drink?" <@Ciara> ["Oooh, do you have anything with yuzu?" Tsubame asks.] * Haruko ponders for a moment. "I believe so, early birds get the greatest selection." <@Ciara> [Tsubame smiles. "Clever."] * Haruko sets the bottle gingerly down on a kitchen table and then begins a quick search through a crate full of bottles retained from prior parties. "Straight or on the rocks?" <@Ciara> ["Straight, please."] * Haruko finds and finishes off a bottle of yuzu, pairs it with a bit lemon juice, and then showily pours in the soda water before finishing the drink with a lemon peel adornment. <@Ciara> [Tsubame bows. "How elegant!" She takes the glass. Meanwhile, Suzume has now moved to the kitchen to work on some food preparations.] Tsubame-chan, have you met my fellow engineer and new addition Maki, yet? <@Ciara> ["No, I haven't," Tsubame says. Maki, meanwhile, makes a polite bow. Darn, foiled in the food table attempt. "It's nice to meet you. How do you two know each other?"] We went to high school together and were club-mates. <@Ciara> [Maki nods. "And you're in the book club? I heard Haruko talking about it with some of our new housemates." Tsubame nods.] * Haruko ponders for a moment, "Are mysteries your genre when it comes to books as well?" <@Ciara> [Maki hmms. "Yeah, some."] * Haruko nods. I enjoy the puzzle part of them, but often lean a bit more towards action or heroines I can really see myself in, for better and worse. <@Ciara> ["The puzzles are the best part," Maki says. Tsubame considers this. "I can see the appeal, but I think I trend towards more escapism."] * Haruko looks to Tsubame, "So, aside from what we've been reading, what are your favorites like?" <@Katie> [There's a knock at the door!] * Haruko glances over, verifies that she's the closest roommate, and takes a quick step back with an apologetic bow, "Please excuse me." She heads to the door. <@Ciara> ["Certainly." Tsubame and Maki will talk books!] <@Katie> [On the other side of the door is Kyoko, in a red shirt decorated with glittery pandas, a black skirt, and steel-toed boots. Her hair is in a high ponytail, as usual, though it has a red bow this time, and she has a purse over one shoulder. She kind-of smiles at Haruko and holds up a brown paper bag that she's carrying by the handles. "Hey."] * Haruko takes the bag with a thank you, "Welcome to our humble abode." She guides Kyoko in towards the food and drink where she'll lay the bag down. <@Ciara> [Maki and Tsubame give a quick curious glance in her direction. Suzume emerges from the kitchen with a tray of yakitori.] <@Katie> [Kyoko goes in, apologizes for the intrusion, and starts untying her shoes. In the bag are a few cream rolls, designed to be sliced and probably from the cafe where Kyoko works.] <@Ciara> [Yay, more baked goods! Honestly, you can never have too many baked goods.] * Haruko looks over to the curious girls. She gives Kyoko a moment to take her shoes off and then does a quick introduction. "Maki and Tsubame, this is Kyoko. I met her through intermural activities back during high school, but not through automotive club, so you probably haven't met before Maki." Haruko glances into the bag, "And she has gifted us with delicious cream rolls." <@Katie> [Kyoko glances at Haruko, then bows to the girls. "Nice to meet you." To Haruko, she says, "I kind of wanted to make cold sesame noodles, but I ran out of time, so... Do you need help with anything?"] <@Ciara> [Maki and Tsubame bow back and also say that it's nice to meet her. "Oooh, cream rolls," Maki adds.] * Haruko smiles, "I'll just have to have you over again then." She hmms for a moment, "I think the cup, plate, and chopstick placements are going to get a bit precarious as we add more dishes. Particularly the cups. If you have any suggestions there, I'd be grateful." <@Katie> ["Um, sure," Kyoko says. "What've you got?"] * Haruko leads Kyoko to the bar. "It's the first time I've done this setup in this place. I think Kyon will probably be supplementing it when he arrives, although I suspect Kaede is more likely to bring food. I think the cup alignment is the kind of thing you could handle, but I'm worried I'll klutz it up." * Haruko has packed a few different kinds of cocktail glasses in a fairly small space on a table, and they are a bit close to the edge. * Haruko may be trying a little too hard to actually have the right cups for the right cocktails, particularly since she's not really dealing with matching sets here. <@Ciara> [Maki has managed to maneuver the conversation with Tsubame closer to the food table. Woo!] <@Katie> [Kyoko reaches over to nudge a glass away from the edge. "Okay, hmm." She looks around. "We could probably take some of these and put them in the cupboard. Maybe the glasses that aren't as likely to be used? Right now there isn't much space to pour your drink. You can just take them out when you're running low, or point people to them if they want to use them."] <@Ciara> [Maki's plans are foiled, sadly, when Chidori asks her for help with the sound system. Curses. She and Tsubame head over, the latter to engage in some more book discussions.] * Haruko makes a smidge of a face for a moment and then nods resolutely. "Yeah. I kind of put out everything I have." She lays the bag on the kitchen counter and pulls out the creeam rolls, placing them on a cutting board. Speaking of, what would you like to drink? <@Katie> [Kyoko looks over. "What do you have?" Never mind that she's literally at the bar.] Soda, cold green tea, matcha hai, lemon sour, gin and tonics are all straightforward. For anything else, I may have to get a little creative. * Haruko puts away some of the cups, starting with the martini glasses as she doesn't even have any vermouth. She then picks out a platter for the cream rolls once she's done cutting. <@Ciara> [Suzume is bringing out another tray from the kitchen, this one full of kushiyaki. "Where would you like this one?"] <@Katie> [Kyoko helps with the putting away of the glasses. Once that's done, she says, "Soda's good. I might-" Suzume appears, and she stops.] <@Ciara> [Meanwhile, there's a loud burst of static from the sound system, followed by several apologies from the group.] <@Ciara> [Maki heads for the stairs, muttering something about needing her tiny screwdrivers.] <@Ciara> [Suzume flushes. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."] <@Katie> [Kyoko shakes her head. And looks at Haruko.] Suzume, this is Kyoko. She's a friend back from my high school days that brought this cream roll. Kyoko, Suzume is my housemate and fellow book club member. <@Ciara> [Suzume smiles. "It's nice to meet you. That looks delicious."] Let's see, how about by putting that by the edamame. <@Katie> [Kyoko smiles back politely. "Nice to meet you, too. *That* looks delicious."] <@Ciara> ["Oh, thank you!" Suzume sets the tray down on the table, and then surveys it. "This is probably good for now."] <@Ciara> [A couple of the Motor Club members have eyed the sound system, but they've learned at this point not to interfere in another engineer's project unless specifically asked to help.] <@Katie> [Kyoko takes a skewer. Yoink.] <@Ciara> [Especially when it involves Maki needing to get the tiny screwdrivers.] * Haruko grabs checks with Kyoko on preferences and then pours her a soda. She then gets slicing the cream roll. <@Katie> [Kyoko ends up with a soda and a skewer! "I'm going to go see what's going on," she says to Haruko, before she leaves to do that!] <@Ciara> [Maki returns with her toolkit.] * Haruko gives a nod and as she finishes the roll cutting looks to Suzume, "You've been in the kitchen all afternoon, can I get you anything to drink?" <@Ciara> ["Lemon Sour, please," Suzume says.] [Time for a new arrival! There's a knocking at the door] * Haruko puts up a finger. "Just a moment, I'll bring it to you." She then heads to the door. <@Ciara> [Maki has unscrewed the back of one of the speakers and is hard at work. She's gathered something of an audience.] * Kaede is standing at the door! And he's not in a suit. More of a casual pale blue polo shirt with matching shirt and jeans with overcoat. And belt. So he still looks nice and well kept. In his hands, he's holding a hot plate and a small bowl-like dish, like a crock pot with a paper bag, top rolled over neatly to keep it closed being held in place mostly by resting against his chin. He glances over his packages to look at the door answer with a subtle nod, waiting to be invited in. "Kinsha-san." * Wataru hasn't been delayed by picking out an outfit, not really. The comfy- but-new blue jeans and the red button-down shirt are an easy choice, as is the light cotton hoodie - brown, with a bit of red embroidery in some kind of funky pattern on the bottom right edge and back left shoulder. Casual, but smart, a little bit dressed up for the special occasion. No, the outfit doesn't slow him. It's the cologne. See, he equivocates about whether or not to wear any for so long that he eventually gets mad at himself and just splashes way too much on - and immediately regrets it. Washing his face and neck is easy enough, but his collar gets all damp, and then he's sniffing it, and it REEKS of what apparently men are supposed to smell like, in bottle form. He considers swapping the shirt out for something else, but he *likes* the red shirt and he almost never wears it, and it fits him so good on the shoulders! So instead, he tries to wash the worst of it off. And then spends a good ten minutes with the hair dryer, making the shirt wearable again. Meanwhile, the party is underway... * Haruko gets a small smile, showing just a little surprise. "Takeuchi-san. Welcome to our home, please come in, can I help you with those?" * Kaede starts to protest, but it looks like he's definitely carrying just on the controllable side of too much. "Yes. I apologize for the trouble..." His firmest grip is on the dish itself, but the bag and hot plate would probably be the best to grab from him. * Haruko reaches and takes the bag and hot plate, "No, no, I'm grateful at all the work you've put into this. I'll carry these back to the kitchen. Kyoko is already here along with my old mechanic cohort Maki, are already here. Think that's all you know." <@Ciara> [Meanwhile, there's a muffled thud from the sound system corner. "Ow."] <@Ciara> ["Do you need help?" someone asks. "Nah," Maki says. "I got this."] * Kaede tilts his head around to look at the source of the mysterious voices, because clearly Haruko's sound system is haunted. "Are....are we having issues with the sound system already?" He asks curiously. * Kaede steps in as he speaks because he's not the type to leave Haruko holding the door open all night and looks for where to put his shoes. <@Ciara> [There is an extra-large shoe rack to the side of the door!] * Haruko grins, "We upgraded it a bit after everyone had moved in, but the reality is nver the same as the test. Maki should have it together soon enough." * Haruko carries the hot pot and the paper bag over to the kitchen counter and begins laying things out. <@Ciara> [Meanwhile, a couple of guys from the dance ensemble - Jae-Yong and Hyun-Soo - are walking up to the front door. Jae-Yong's got a bottle of soju and Hyun-Jin a small wrapped box.] * Kaede gives Haruko a look and is totally going to avoid going over to that sound system to listen to all of its complaints. It's definitely not worth it. "I brought some shabu-shabu with some tempura on the side. Shiraishi-san couldn't make it..." He gestures with his head to the bag Haruko is holding. "But she didn't want to feel left out, so there is some inarizushi in there..." <@Ciara> [There's a whoop from the sound system corner as Maki triumphantly fastens the back onto the speaker. "Okay, now try it!"] * Haruko eyes widen a bit. "Aww, she's too kind. We'll miss her but celebrate her in abstentia. Suzume, this is my old comrade Takeuchi. He's quite the business and electronics whiz, and a pretty good cook to boot." <@Ciara> [Suzume bows. "A pleasure to meet you."] * Kaede tries to bow, well does bow, a little, but not too much. He's still holding a pot that has a lot of broth in it after all. "Likewise." Expression neutral. At that, he turns to Haruko. "I will follow you." To put down this dish. * Haruko leads and gestures to a place where he can lay it down. "Suzume and I met through book club, she and Chidori were kind enough to invite us to live here when there was an opening." <@Ciara> [Music starts playing! It's some sort of upbeat instrumental tune. Meanwhile, the dance ensemble guys have reached the front door and are knocking. Since Haruko looks busy, Chidori goes to answer it.] * Kaede does, then sets up the hot plate to keep it warm. The tempura is arranged around the edges, sticking out slightly. Definitely something he put some work into. "The Council book?" Still neutral. Keeping any tone out of opinion out of it. <@Ciara> [They bow and introduce themselves, and Chidori shows them in. Jae- Yong goes to put his soju bottle on the bar.] * Haruko sets down the plate and then goes about laying out the inarizushi on a place. Yeah, she and I were the biggest skeptics actually. <@Ciara> [Suzume nods. "He's not my favorite author, but the first book was reasonably well-done."] <@Katie> [Kyoko, meanwhile, has polished off her meat skewer and is wandering back to the food table. She spots Kaede and slows a bit.] * Kaede turns a little at just the right time and blinks, noting who's here and then, now that his hands are free, takes a bit of a deeper bow than he'd been giving previously. "Ozora-san..." <@Katie> [Kyoko blinks, but she bows back. "Takeuchi-san. Hi."] Takeuchi-san, I owe Suzume-chan a lemon sour, would you like anything to drink while I'm at it? * Haruko lays out the inarizushi with the cold food, but gives Kyoko and Kaede a little physical space as she goes to prep drinks. * Kaede responds with a brief "I hope the evening finds you well..." And then with a small smile. "And glad that your schedule was kind enough to allow you some time to yourself..." To Haruko, he responds, more neutrally, "I'm not sure what you have...." <@Ciara> [Tsubame's struck up a conversation with the Motor Club group, the dance ensemble guys are heading for the snack table, and Maki's gone back upstairs to stash her toolkit. The party is starting to get into full swing!] * Haruko thinks for a moment and edits down the list, "Gin and tonic, soda, cold green tea, some other cocktails." * Haruko waves at the dance guys but doesn't add another conversation to her queue just yet. <@Ciara> [They wave back.] * Kyon swaps the bag he's carrying to his other hand, and raises the now-free one to the doorbell. He checks back over his shoulder to make sure Katie is where he thinks she is, then back at the door. He's in a grey long-sleeve shirt with an orange stripe down the middle on the front and back from collar to hem and black pants, his regular arm-warmers, and dark grey shoes. <@Ciara> [There is surprisingly no doorbell, but you can knock.] * @Katie is right where expected, in a nicer pair of jeans and shirt, with zero (0) paint or charcoal on them. She's wearing a blue and gray decorative scarf and carrying a mostly matching bag. * Kyon knocks, then, before looking down at Katie. "Ready?" * @Katie looks back up at him. "You already knocked," she points out. <@Ciara> [Did he? Oops. No one seems to have heard.] * Kyon nods curtly. "Still. There's time." * Kaede responds with. "You can surprise me," before stepping up to Kyoko and asking "Are you enjoying yourself at least?" * @Katie snerks. "Are you suggesting we knock on the door and run away? Maybe leave the potluck stuff on the doorstep as a bonus? Because that sounds like way more fun than it should be." <@Katie> [Kyoko shrugs. "More now than before." Pause. "I, uh, don't really know... people." She colors slightly and goes to pick up something else from the potluck table. Hmm, tempura.] * Kyon looks down at the bag, smirking. "Probably figure out it was us. Just based on what we brought." <@Katie> But it's so out of character! * Kyon nods quickly, tucking a hand in his pocket. "We're the lives of the party." * Haruko begins rooting through the spare bottles. K. * @Katie straight up laughs at that. "Maybe *you* are. ... Did you bring a disguise? And an alias?" * Kaede is just left staring and watching Kyoko go. Well, yes. That was awkward. He almost mouths to himself 'what changed' before he goes to check on the mechanic and their sound system setup. You know, the important stuff. <@Ciara> [The sound system appears to be working pretty well! Meanwhile, Maki has returned from tool-stashing and now, maybe, finally, can get some food.] * Kyon nods quickly. "Always have an alias. One of the useful things about having a pen name." * Haruko rubs a lemon peel around the glass, drops in a sugar cube from the tea cabinet, and then adds some bitters, angostura bitters, which requires her to finish off another bottle. She then slowly adds the gin, leaving room for a few ice cubes, staring intently as she does. Maki-chan, think someone's at the door. * @Katie, for the record, is carrying what looks like a wrapped painting or drawing. It's in a frame, anyway. "Oh good, we can tell everyone you're a famous author instead of a famous baseball player." <@Ciara> [Maki is about to get food when Haruko apparently wants her to get the door. Augh.] * Haruko then switches over to making a lemon sour as Kaede's drink comes together. * Kyon snorts. "" <@Ciara> [Maki opens the door and sees Katie and starts to smile and then oh. It's that guy who's the actual baseball player. Oh. "Uh, hi. Come on in." She bows and opens the door the rest of the way.] * @Katie is just amused. "" She's about to say more when Maki opens the door; her attention goes that way and she smiles. "Hi." Oh right, bow. She does that and steps in. <@Ciara> [Chidori apparently had left door duty to use the bathroom.] * Kaede is meanwhile doing a thorough *inspection* of the sound system. Especially given it was just turned on. He's totally not judging your selection of sound system here. * Kyon recomposes his face, and bows in return. "Thank you." He steps in behind Katie, and says, "Ojama shimasu," in a formal and perfunctory way, before he bends down to get his shoes off. <@Ciara> [Maki would possibly be offended were she not awed by the Kyon.] * @Katie props the picture somewhere close by, carefully, before taking off her own shoes. * Haruko gives a quick stir to Kaede's drink and carries both drinks over. She glances at the door as she goes and calls out a quick welcome, but will not neglect her cocktail duties, even for Kyon and Katie. * Kyon straightens and holds out the bag. "We brought these along," he says, and then nods back to Haruko and waves curtly with his other hand. <@Ciara> [Maki looks at the picture curiously, then takes the bag from Kyon. "Thank you. Please, make yourselves at home." And she beats a semi- dignified retreat to the food table okay good she can just lay this out and then get some food.] * Kyon nods back, and watches her run off! The bag contains some nice chilled sake, and some medium-range bottles of beer. It is relatively heavy. He turns to Katie. "Probably should go give the picture straight to Haruko." * @Katie lets out a breath. "Yeah." It's rare that Kyon's seen her this nervous over a piece of art. "Okay, I should just do it." * Kyon nods back to her quickly. "You should. I'll come. Need to say hi, too." * Haruko glances over after delivering the drinks. After a quick pleased glance at the weight Maki is bearing, she notices the painting Katie is carrying. Her eyes rest on the parcel for a moment, fascinated to the point that it has her attention over alcohol and cute Korean guys. * @Katie waves at Haruko when she's noticed, and heads over there. * Wataru has got his situation figured out, and hurriedly fils a tupperware with the kimbap he made earlier. He even wraps it in a nice furoshiki, because he's not sure a naked tupperware would make the right impression... He toes into his shoes and makes sure he's not forgetting anything, and heads to the conbini downstairs to make an alcohol purchase. Not much longer now! * Kyon walks over behind Katie, staying a step or so behind her. * Haruko meets up. "Katie, Kyon, I'm so glad you could join us. And thank you for what you've brought." <@Ciara> [Maki lays things out. And now, food. Yes.] * Kyon bows in return. "Thanks for welcoming us to your new home," he says formally, and then looks expectantly at Katie. * @Katie nods. "Thanks for inviting us." And then: "I finished your painting. Do you want to open it here, or...?" <@Ciara> [Some of the other partygoers have turned their attention to the new arrivals and the painting. Some continue to eat, drink, and have other conversations.] * Haruko blushes a little, "Maybe my room? What do you think? * Kyon cocks his head a little and waits for Katie to decide that one. * @Katie blinks. "Sure." She smiles a little. "Lead the way." * Haruko heads down a hall, there's a small courtyard area to one side where a few of the partygoers have begun flowing. Haruko's room is fairly near the craft room. * Kyon heads behind her, looking around appraisingly as he goes. <@Ciara> [Maki has a plateful of food. Yes. She gives Kyoko a salute with her full plate, then heads over to make sure the sound system is still doing okay.] <@Katie> [Kyoko nods back, also with a fairly full plate, and apparently decides she's been standing by the food long enough. Maybe she could interact with people approximately her own age...?] * Kaede isn't messing with the sound system. Definitely not touching to get the sound system's opinion on the matter. Nope. Just busy inspecting the work. Maybe he's not hungry? <@Ciara> [Chidori has stepped up to perform bar duty in Haruko's absence. She will put the "craft" in craft cocktails!] <@Ciara> [...hopefully not literally. Her sewing kit's in the other room anyway.] <@Ciara> [Maki noms some food before looking at Kaede. "Takeuchi, right?"] <@Ciara> [There are lots of people approximately Kyoko's age! Well, the ones with alcohol in their hands are a bit more approximate than actual. A lot of them, in fact, seem to be drinking.] * Kaede steps out from his position behind, blinking at the woman approaching. "Yes?" before he reaches to grab the drink he set down, looking her over. "I'm afraid I don't recall...." <@Katie> [There's knocking at the door! Hopefully someone answers!] <@Ciara> ["Maki Tomika. I was at the photo shoot. Mostly setup and gofer- ing."] <@Ciara> [Suzume goes to answer the door! Who is it?] * Kaede 's face dawns with some recognition. "Ah!" And then a half-grin comes to his face. "We can always use good go-fers..." And then he pats the sound system lightly. "So were you setup for this as well?" <@Ciara> [Maki snerks. "More like emergency repair."] * Kaede blinks at that, looking around the other end to inspect. "Did Kinsha- san not properly sanctify it to release the evil spirits which may be conflicting with the proper AC current?" <@Ciara> [Matthias is on the other side of the door, dressed in a suit. "Good afternoon," he says. "This is the Kinsha and household party?" Suzume nods. "Please, come in." She steps aside to let him enter.] <@Ciara> [Maki laughs. "I don't think she did."] <@Ciara> [Matthias bows. Suzume directs him to the food table, where he places a bag bearing the logo of a fancy bakery.] * Kaede then looks back at the sound system, giving it a soft pat. "Seems to be working fine now..." And then moves, drink now in hand, to inspect it from the back. "What was wrong with it?" <@Katie> [Kyoko, wallflowering with the best of them, spots Matthias and more or less freezes.] <@Ciara> ["Honestly?" Maki says. "Just some loose internal wiring. It probably got knocked out of place in the move. I'm a little surprised no one picked up on it."] <@Ciara> [Matthias spots her and nods, though he heads for the drink table first.] <@Katie> [Kyoko blinks. Okay. She... goes to Kaede and Maki, and looks at whatever they're doing. Nerd stuff, probably.] <@Ciara> [It is totally nerd stuff.] * Kaede nods. "The older models are easier to jostle. It would be the first thing to check." Over the top of the sound system, he does spot a Kyoko, wondering what's going on. He's about to excuse himself but Kyoko's coming over here. "You alright?" <@Katie> [Kyoko nods. "Yeah." She looks over to the drink table, where a half-German Arcana is. "Matthias is here."] * Wataru makes his way to Haruko's place! He's upset he's so late, but otherwise feels pretty confident...! Time to make an ENTRANCE! * Wataru KNOCK DOOR <@Ciara> [Maki is about to say something, but then there is KNOCK DOOR. "Sorry, let me get that." And she walks to the DOOR. And OPENS IT.] * Wataru Wataru smiles as a stranger opens the door! Erk! Girl stranger! That's right, there are non-Harukos who live here too! ALARM ALARM "Uhhhhhh hi!" He smiles. "I'm Wataru Yamada...?" * Kaede allows Maki to go. He's looking over at Matthias and then comments with "I'm aware." He looks at Kyoko confused. "I saw him come in..." <@Ciara> [Wataru is confronted with a girl of average height, hair back in a ponytail, wearing a pale green button-down blouse and black slacks. With a still fairly full plate of food in one hand. "Hi! I'm Maki Tomika. You're one of Haruko's friends, right? Come on in."] <@Katie> ["Yeah." Kyoko runs a hand over her face. "Sorry, I haven't really talked to anyone from then except you and Kinsha-san. And Kyon, obviously. I didn't know he'd be here." She pauses a second and then adds more quietly, "I think the last time I saw him, I tried to shove a spear up his ass. I was kind of pissed."] Yes! That's me! Thanks, uh, here, I brought... <@Ciara> [Maki shifts so Wataru can get in more easily. "Here, come inside."] * Wataru hands her his furoshiki-wrapped (it has cute little lobsters on it) tupperware, and a Family Mart conbini bag with a cylindrical glass bottle inside. It is shochu o 'clock! * Kaede starts to respond, but has to clarify. "Wait, which of those last three?" He wonders, for just a moment. "He probably deserved it...." "Thanks! Wow, there's a lot of people in here." * Kaede also starts to step away from the sound system. Because he has alcohol. It's probably not good to keep around the delicate sound equipment. <@Ciara> [Maki loops the bag over her arm and takes the container, balancing things expertly with her plate of food. "Well, it is a Haruko party." She looks at the wrapping. "This is cute."] "Yeah, I, uh, I'm sorry there's not like actually lobster in it or anything, I hope it's not confusing, but I - I thought it was cute and - yeah." He puts his hands in his hoodie pockets and looks around. "I've never been to a Haruko party before." <@Ciara> [Maki grins. "I don't think any of us was expecting actual lobster." She glances around the room. "Haruko went off somewhere with Katie and Sorata-san, but there's lots of food, and if you want drinks, Chidori can set you up over there."] * Wataru nod nods! PANIC. "Food and drink sounds good, and stuff!" GREAT, THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS ROOM HE KNOWS IS KAEDE. <@Ciara> ["C'mon." Maki leads the way to the food table. She sets down her plate so she can do the unwrapping of the furoshiki, and carefully removes the container. She lifts the lid off. "Oooh, this looks tasty."] * Wataru notices that the girl Kaede is talking to is STABBY MCREIJISISTER. Oh boy. Okay. He can do this. (He also doesn't immediately register that Maki is talking to him, because he's off thinking about the World Reversed...) <@Katie> ["*I* thought he deserved it," Kyoko says to Kaede. "At the time, anyway. He was being an ass." Ah yes, Kyoko is clearly back to being herself, whatever that means. She hasn't noticed Wataru yet.] <@Ciara> [Tsubame and Matthias seem to have struck up some sort of conversation.] * Kaede starts walking towards the *food* slowly because he actually *hasn't* grabbed any food yet. "Well, that still depends, doesn't it? I mean. I am often an ass. I don't think that always deserves *stabbing*..." Then there's a stall in his steps and his speech as he looks at her. "At least I hope not." <@Katie> [Kyoko goes with Kaede, why not? And she smirks at him. "Not right now, it doesn't."] <@Ciara> [Maki looks at Wataru. "You okay? If you're feeling kind of overwhelmed, there's a couple of quieter spots you can go, and I can let you know when Haruko gets back." She gives him a wry grin. "Believe me, I know the 'introvert in a party full of Haruko's friends' feeling."] "Oh, I, uh..." Wataru grins, then, a sincere one. "Observant of you. I appreciate it - maybe - maybe that would be best, yeah." He exhales. "Thanks. I mean, I'm really happy to be here..." * Kaede stops fully now and just gives Kyoko a *look*. "...I can't tell whether that means you think I'm being an ass right now or not..." <@Katie> [Kyoko laughs. Instead of answering, she waves for Kaede to come with her. "Come on, I know my way around the food table." That way lies Maki and Wataru!] <@Katie> [And maybe Matthias? Who even knows.] * Kaede bows slightly. "I defer to your expertise in charted territory..." And then he follows calmly. <@Ciara> ["But there's a lot of people here." She nods. "Want to grab anything first?"] * Wataru notices Kaede and Kyoko heading their way, from the corner of his eye, and is pulled between HUNGER and AWKWARDNESS. "Maybe in a bit? Do you live here too? Wanna give me the tour?" <@Ciara> [Maki blinks. "Uh. Sure. Follow me, I guess!" She has her plate of food, so she's good. She gives Kaede and Kyoko a quick, slightly apologetic wave before leading Wataru towards the stairs.] * Wataru also gives the pair of them a little smile as he darts away! Flee! Hopefully not too obviously! <@Katie> [Kyoko sees them as they go and blinks, but doesn't say anything. "Okay," she says as they reach the table (and hopefully avoid Matthias). "So here are the baked goods. These are savory, and those are sweet. I brought the cream roll." She points it out. "Just from the cafe."] * Kaede gives Maki a "completely missed your look" look. As in he didn't notice it at all. He's busy walking with Kyoko. But he *does* catch Wataru leaving and then... "Just from the cafe?" <@Katie> [Kyoko lets out a small huff. "Yeah. I didn't have time to cook stuff. I literally grabbed it while leaving today."] * Kaede looks over her outfit. "Well, you managed to change at least." <@Katie> [She raises her eyebrows. "Priorities."] * Kaede reaches for a knife to cut the cream roll. Assuming since Kyoko mentioned there was one of them, you need to cut them. "Cream rolls are priorities too." <@Ciara> [Session Break!]