awashlogs | Christmas Is All About Shenanigans

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Christmas Is All About Shenanigans

Who: Kaoru and YOU
Where: All over Chroma
When: December, before the ghosts appear
What: Two Things: "Christmas tree" and "mistletoe"
Warnings: probably none

i: Christmas is all about finding the biggest Christmas tree

[She goes out into the forest with a Purpose in mind. She'd gotten a good look at the forest from high above, to see if there were any exceptionally tall trees in the forest.

What she brought back in the end was around 60 feet tall. She sets it up somewhere close to the middle of town but then she's left with a problem: how does she make it stand?

Which is why, you'll find her with a 60 foot tree lying on its side nearby as she floats above the ground with one hand out. Dirt flies out of a hole she's digging.]

Hey. [If you're someone she doesn't know she'll just wave you over but if she does know you she'll come drag you over by the arm.] What do you think? Is it deep enough to make the tree stand?

[It probably isn't, alas.]

ii: Obligatory network announcement

so i brought the BIGGEST CHRISTMAS TREE i could find and set it up in town.

[People have noticed already. It is a 60feet tall tree suddenly standing tall in town.]

but it's not really a christmas tree until we decorate it, right? who can help me make decorations? and also, do you think we could make lights to hang on it? maybe with candles? that's what they used to do, right?

[That sounds like a really bad idea, Kaoru...]

iii: Decorating~

[The bottom of tree is beginning to look pretty good at this point but the top still needs some work. Unfortunately, Kaoru's power does have a limit and she can't just pick up the ornaments they've made from sixty feet away. So she's at the bottom, choosing the next decorations she wants to pick up...when she suddenly shoves a pile into your arms.]

Hold onto that, okay?

[Then she's picking you, some more ornaments and herself up with her powers. At least if it's your first time flying with her like this she'll stop when they're two feet up but if you've flown with her before she's taking you both straight to the top.]

iv: the mistletoe option

[So. If anyone should not have gotten a box of mistletoe because she won't be responsible, it's probably Kaoru.

But since that's exactly what she got, she was going to be responsible with it--hahaha. As if.

What happens is: you and someone else will be walking around town, just minding your business when suddenly there's mistletoe floating above you. If you miss it, it will keep following you around until you notice it. And if it takes to long it will swoop down and knock against your head.

Kaoru is hiding somewhere (obviously), but she's definitely observing from somewhere not too far away (and if you're Shiho she's making sure her feet isn't touching the ground and that she isn't touching anything else either).

Call her out, try to escape, ignore this whole thing, or attempt to destroy the mistletoe. Either way, something unexpected might happen. (Or kiss. That's simple enough).]

((OOC: for option 4, Kaoru might show up or she might not...either way she will make the mistletoe "respond". To clarify, the mistletoe is perfectly normal...but Kaoru isn't going to just let anyone off the hook with this prank. I'm assuming people are responding to this in pairs. If not, please contact me on plurk or add an OOC note and she'll make a variation to the prank...maybe try to get them to kiss a horse or a tree or something.))

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[She's flushed red as well, and there's a brief moment where he's worried he's pushed her too far, and made her uncomfortable--

But she takes a deep breath, and rests a hand on his chest, and Minato spares a moment's thought as well for the worry that she'll be able to fear just how fast his heart is beating that way...

But she says she wants to.

And that means... there's no reason to hesitate anymore, right? It's okay to follow his instincts, to take the excuse that's given to him with that mysteriously convenient mistletoe, and...

(She's really, really cute, looking up at him like that, a bright blush on her face but nonetheless that familiar determination he's so used to from her in every line of her face, and any reasons why he shouldn't be doing this fly right out the window.)

He doesn't think. He just runs his thumb over her cheekbone, an affectionate gesture with a smile on his face, and finally leans in to very gently press his lips to hers.]

[Shiho can't hear how fast his heart is beating but she can definitely see it with psychometry. She wants to tell him not to worry, that the last thing anyone could do was push her into something she didn't want with someone she didn't like.

But there's so much to process already from the beat of his heart to him thinking she's cute, that smile of his that she's always been weak to, the stroke of his thumb on her cheek. No one (who isn't family) has ever looked at her with so much fondness and her mind is a blank.

Long ago, Fujiko had given all three of them tips for kissing. She can't remember any of them as he leans in, her eyes fluttering closed and the world at large so still and quiet. It's nothing like the kiss she'd given him in the ice castle. This time he's dizzyingly warm and she isn't thinking at all as she reaches out with her other hand, fingertips resting against his jaw.]

[It's really almost crazy, he can't help but think, that it took him this long to realize just how deeply he feels about all of this--and about her. Was this a willful attempt to try to not think too hard about just how deep he'd end up falling for her...?

It's impossible to fight it now, that's for sure, with the gentle warmth of her lips against his, and the light, pleasant pressure of her fingertips on his jaw.

He lingers. He can't help himself; he's weak, to her and to this and for the moment, it feels like everything pauses just for this--

... And then it kind of sinks in. They're in the middle of Chroma, he's kissing Shiho slowly beneath the mistletoe and as much as he's enjoying this, this is... probably not the time or place. (And yet, it's so hard to pull back.)

Slowly, even so, he does, clearing his throat slowly as he straightens, looking at her with a gaze that's both a little sheepish and thoroughly fond. Somehow, he seems to be having some trouble forming words.]

[It’s a wonder, she thinks, that more people with ESP aren’t complete egomaniacs. His thoughts of her are just so gentle, so fond, and so irresistibly sweet. But then again... how many espers kissed people that understood who they were and accepted it without question? Who would tell them that everything they are and can do is amazing?

Shiho doesn’t put up any kind of resistance to it and if he’s weak she knows that she’s at least two times weaker than that as she simply allows herself to enjoy how close he is, to enjoy being able to express herself in a way that needed no words and no powers to transmit her thoughts.

She realizes they’re in the middle of town, kissing in plain view of just about anyone at the exact moment he does, entangled as her own thoughts are with his in her mind thanks to the psychometry and she flushes red even before he pulls away entirely. And she knows when their lips part that given the chance she’d kiss him again without any hesitation and that thought knits her expression into something embarrassed and soft and affectionate all at once. When did he become so dear to her? She couldn’t even name the exact moment, the exact second because there were so many all piled together and there’s so much she could say and what feels like too little time to tell it all.

That and maybe confessing in the middle of Chroma had the potential for so much embarrassment if someone else hears what she intends to tell him. Kaoru is probably still hiding somewhere around here too and had to be made sorry for this. But for now... for now she lingers too, the fingertips at his jaw brushing delicately against his skin as she pulls away because she can’t help herself. The other hand is still at his chest as she opens her mouth.]

U-Um.... I-I guess we... that... [She failed. Someone come help her.]

[He definitely can't blame her stumbling, because Minato's finding it just as hard to find words. There's just something so sweet, so warm about the moment that he doesn't want to break it at all--

So quietly, he just reaches out to brush his knuckles over her cheek, a very soft gesture, and smiles.

This level of fondness, of sheer affection that he feels... it's fine, right? It's totally fine, because it's Shiho, and he trusts her.

(He should probably remember the Issue that he has to talk to her about, but right now, that's so far out of his mind as to not even register at all.)]

Shiho-chan... [It's more an affectionate sigh than anything...and then he clears his throat, a little red-faced himself, and tries to think of proper words.

Um...!!

"I enjoyed that a lot" is probably not a proper response in a moment like this, but you'd better bet he's thinking it.]

... That was... pretty amazing.

[Shiho's mind falls silent as he reaches out, his knuckles brushing ever so delicately against her cheek. Just like that, the moment is soft anew and words escape her yet again.

The first thought that comes to her is just how much she likes the way he says her name. The second thought is that he's still just as embarrassing even now and thinking about it has her smiling. With one kiss everything feels like it's changed... but at the same time he's still the familiar Minato who has become so dear to her heart, embarrassingly sweet gestures and all.

The thought that there could be an issue doesn't even cross her mind, light as she keeps her reading of him and full as her mind is with "I enjoyed that a lot". Her smile curls at the corners while she tries not to chuckle at him as she reaches to set her hand over his, coaxing it to stay for another half-second against her cheek.]

...It was. [And because despite Kaoru needing a talking to, despite them being in the middle of town... she's feeling giddy and happy and she can't help but whisper to him, proper or not:] ....I enjoyed that a lot too. [Yes, "too".]

[Oh my god.

Minato...definitely is in no hurry to remove his hand from her cheek, especially not when she encourages to leave it there; she's so warm, so gentle, so--

... Such a teasing menace.

Minato flushes a little when he realizes that she picked up on his thoughts anyway, but he doesn't pull away--instead, after a moment, he just offers her a smile that's equal parts amused and sheepish.]

... Well, good. I'm glad it's the same for the both of us. [He may as well roll with it, because it's way too late to deny it.

Instead... he just leans forward, pressing his forehead gently to hers--because he really doesn't want to move yet.]

[This time she really does have to stifle a giggle at his expense though the smile lingers in her expression anyway.]

Me too. [Her eyes close again as he leans in, their foreheads touching and the motion so affectionate that while she knows they shouldn't stay...

She sighs softly, her free hand reaching up to cup his cheek, to feel the warmth under her palm.]

...I guess we'll probably have to go soon, huh? [But she doesn't sound much like she wants to leave.]

[That... gets an amused sound out of him, more a soft huff of breath than anything, before he nods.]

You're right. We still have a bunch of trees to look at, right?

[The original purpose of their outing, after all.

And, well...]

...And we're still being really sappy in the middle of the town.

[He's still reluctant, but... but it's fine, right? This moment--they can recapture it, or make even more amazing moments together.]

[She can both hear and feel that little huff of laughter and smiles in reply.] Yeah. You still have to figure out which tree I helped with.

[And she's not going to give him any hints either. What she will do though is lace her fingers with his.]

But I never thought you'd actually get embarrassed about being sappy. [But she's just as reluctant too though she's also aware that they could do this again. There are many moments waiting for them in the future...]

Or is it okay if we're being sappy while hiding behind some buildings?

[As soon as their fingers are laced together, Minato contentedly squeezes her hand, and...flashes her a smile that's a bit more amused, and a tad bit daring.]

... Yeah. It's absolutely fine if we're sappy behind some buildings.

[And, in a tone more teasing than anything:]

Then if people stumble across us, that's their problem, right?

[He has absolutely zero issues with this, but maybe it's mostly that he's so okay with being sappy with Shiho in general.]

[He thinks she's a menace?? He's the menace here and she can feel herself blushing again though her smile never diminishes for a second as she's stuck halfway between flushing with embarrassment and feeling so fond of him that she doesn't know what to do with herself anymore.

How does he always catch her off guard like this?]

Honestly... Saying stuff like that and looking at me like that... [She taps a finger against his cheek.] We're supposed to be admiring trees. [But she's still standing here with him, being sappy.... And she's definitely keeping the option open of hiding away somewhere with him.]

[Shiho is absolutely right here--they came out to look at the trees, not to gaze lovingly into each other's eyes.

(Minato does not at all regret the pause to gaze lovingly into each other's eyes.)

But he takes that gently scolding tap against his cheek for what it is, flashing her a smile that's equal parts amused and sheepish.]

Right, trees. I still want to see the decorations you made.

[He clears his throat, and...finally tugs away properly, though not too far; he still is going to absolutely be holding her hand.

Maximum sappiness, temporarily averted...!! (Even though he's still pretty much metaphorically floating here.)]

[She also does not regret taking this time to spend together... though she's definitely getting Kaoru back for this later.

But that's for another day when her best friend least expects it. For now, she's smiling again when Minato pulls away, their hands still linked. In theory she knows it's cold out here but she doesn't feel it at all, buoyed up by something warm and happy much like he is.]

I didn't really make that many, you know?

[At least Kaoru is probably the only person in the world who can be prepared for Shiho at her most Shiho.]

That's okay. [He really didn't make very many decorations either--but it doesn't change the fact that he wants to see the ones she made.]

I'm still sure they're the cutest ones.

[Or Minato is just horribly biased and head over heels at this point.]

[That's true, Kaoru is probably safe.]

Flatterer. [But she's giving his hand a gentle squeeze and then a little tug because they should probably start walking, right? She still stays close though, her arm brushing against his.]

[They can definitely start walking. And... in truth, Minato has no idea which decorations are Shiho's out of the decorated trees that they can see along their path.

But.

Almost universally, he guesses the really cute and well-made ones.

It seems Shiho-like to him...?]

[Shiho actually lets him make those guesses a couple of times before she finally nudges her shoulder against his with a laugh.]

I'm not that good at crafts, you know. [Mostly it's because she doesn't like putting in the effort unless she was trying to get something out of it.]

The ones you made look much better. [But she hasn't guessed because, of course, with psychometry there really is no question in her mind which are his ornaments and which are made by someone else.]

[Minato's are all origami--like this. Nothing too exciting, but definitely pretty Minato-like.]

You think so...? I could teach you how to make them sometime, if you want. Not that they'll probably be that useful again, but still.

[It is very Minato-like, actually.]

Of course. I'd like that. Besides... being cute makes them useful too, right? We could decorate your house with them. [Or her house but who knows if Kyrie would be able to stand all those cute stars.]

Hm... now that you mention it, that would be pretty cute.

[Stars all over...!!]

We'd just need more colorful paper, though.

Then let's do it when we find cute paper we can use for it. [All the stars!]

Or maybe we can take apart some of the books. [She's kidding. Mostly.]

[Oh my god.]

I think Cairngorm-san would kill us... They'd give us that gem stare, and we'd be in danger.

The gem stare, huh... Sounds scary.

[But she doesn't sound scared...?]

Right?

[Minato also doesn't really sound scared, because these are two teens who have probably never really been afraid of regular things in their lives.]

They're very strict about that sort of thing. I think they really like the library a lot. [...] I suppose someone has to.

aaah okay!

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