833/Of Crepes and Canes and Clothes, OH MY!

Of Crepes and Canes and Clothes, OH MY!
Date of Scene:	09 January 2016
Location:	Mitakihara - Infinity University
Synopsis:	Shinobu makes another new friend! Usagi! Shinobu gets a stylish new coat and some school clothes, they eat crepes together, and they have a discussion of flavors that may or may not be about food.
Cast of Characters:	Usagi Tsukino, Shinobu Kimura

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Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    Another cold day and this time no coat. Shinobu had given hers to Minoke-chan last night after she took a spill out of her wheel chair and gotten wet. So, that leaves her currently walking along campus, trying to make her way toward a store that might have some warm clothing. The cold is biting but she soldiers on. There aren't many people about. Most are probably spending time in their dorms or are at home since classes don't start for a few days yet.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi has A Plan.

Ever since her meeting with Minako, which had gone so much better than expected, the small twin-tailed girl was on a mission.

Be Happy.

Even a month ago, this was Usagi's default setting. (More so than normal, of course, thanks to a certain beautiful blue-eyed boy.)

During the past month? Not so much.

But still! Determined! She's even trying skipping!

But it's too cold for that! So she settles, instead, for happy in place bounces. They also serve to warm her stockinged legs.

Yes, Usagi is wearing a skirt in winter.

But she has on her new coat! It's pink and stylish, bought for her by Mama and Papa for Christmas!

She spots a girl, sans jacket!!! walking ahead. Isn't she freezing?!

Hmmm. What would Happy Usagi do?

That's right!

Off comes her coat, and it's around the (slightly) taller girl's shoulders.

(It was impulse, of course, trying to reconnect and cling to who she used to be. Fortunately for this impulse, her cute sweater is also warm.)

"You must be freezing! It's like a billion degrees below today!"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    The taller girl is rather focused and not exactly on the cold. When Usagi gets a little closer she'd likely hear her counting. Someone told her about how many steps it is from the dormatory to the nearest store that might have some warm clothes.

    And then it happens. She suddenly has something thrown over her shoulders. "EEP! Whhaaaa Whose there? What the?" Shinobu's free hand goes to the coat on her shoulder and a smile forms on her lips, "Oh thank you. This feels really nice." She turns to face the person adddressing her. The dark sunglasses and the white cane with red stripes would give all the information needed. She cocks her head though and a curious look crosses her face, "Madoka-chan? No you sound different." She mumbles, "Lots of bright people around here."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Ahhh..."

Dot dot dot.

Note to self, Usagi. Don't startle people who can't see.

"Nope, not Madoka! Though I met her once, she's very nice! And I didn't stomp her feet when we danced! Hi, I'm Usagi Tsukino, very pleased to meet you! Are you going shopping, too?" Shopping is happy! "Can I come, too?"

Wait, she's bright? She still feels a little gloomy.

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    "A pleasure to meet you Usagi-chan. I'm Shinobu Kimura. I just transfered here and will be finishing off the term here!" Despite the craziness, Shinobu does seem really happy. "Yes I was going to buy some warmer clothes. I gave my coat away last night to someone who was all wet in the cold." She turns around and just stops. "Shoot. I lost count. How close am I to the store? I need to get a uniform anyway."

    , "You're welcome to come along if you want. Sorry for thinking you were Madoka-chan. You have something in common with her. You're both really good people." She takes a deep breath and then, "Is there a crepe stand around here. I smell crepes!"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Ohhh, she gave her coat to someone? Maybe Shinobu can help her remember how to be Happy! Mweeheehee!

"A new transfer? Welcome! I don't go to your school. Probably not! But my -- I know people who do!"

Usagi looks around. Then "Oh no! I didn't mean to distract your numbers! But you're really close. I don't know how many steps. But I can take you!

She giggles a bit. "That's okay! Madoka-chan is nice. I should hang out with her more. Mamo-chan said we'd get along, and he's smart!"

This time Usagi sniffs the air. "Yes! I think it's half a block away! Want to go there first, or get you a coat and uniform first?"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    "Lets get the clothes first then I will treet you for crepes!" Shinobu beams at the idea. Then she starts walking in hopefully the right direction. Her cane is ahead of her making sure she doesn't trip or anything. "So Usagi-chan, what school do you go to? What year? I'm curious!" She giggles. Despite everything she seems pretty happy. "I'm a first year highschool student well... here now! I can't wait for school to start. I got a scholarship for here."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi perks up at the idea of being treated! She is never one to turn down gifted food!

She places her hand on Shinobu's elbow, an indicator, not to take control. "To the left, not right."

"Crepes sound yummy, thank you!" She hums in thought. "I go to Seishou Public. I'll be in high school next semester, but even though my grades have gotten better, I won't get into Infinity. You must be so smart! A scholarship!"

She sighs. It's almost happy. "My Mamo-chan is very smart, so I think you have to be very smart to go there? But he's...not going to be here the first part of the semester, I don't think. Maybe for the second half!" Hopeful, hopeful!

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    "Well I look forward to meeting him. As for how I got in, I have a talent for public speaking. My teachers noticed and they suggested I go here. I applied and here I am!" Shinobu follows the guidance of Usagi. Gentle help is a good thing. "I hope your friend is alright. You seem a little worried about him."

    She stops for the moment. "Hold up a second." For a moment or so, it looks like she is watching something cross in front of them. There is nothing there but that doesn't change the fact. Her head is clearly following something. "Okay, sorry about that. Just still have a warning in my head."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"Oh, that's very good! I can speak in public, but I tend to ramble. Not because of nerves, usually! Just because I have a lot I want to say and it's all just bursting to get out!"

For a moment, it almost feels like her hand is about to slip from Shinobu's elbow, and her other clutches at her chest. "He will be. He's just...out discovering himself at the moment?" Hah! Even sad, she can almost make a pun! Sort of! (Does it count?) "But everything's not exactly roses at the moment for him." HAH! Better, Usagi! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH! ...hah.

No. Happy! HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY! She perks right up, forced, but there. "But he will be! Even if I have to beat him up until he is!"

Maybe that came out too cheerful.

She pauses midstep when Shinobu stops, then walks forward when the clear is given. Huh? "That's okay! You probably felt the dark...cooties that like to float around."

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    Shinobu doesn't get it. Any joke or witicism goes right over her head. Right now she is focused. She shakes her head. "Magic. SOmething passed in front of us. Its nothing. Lets keep going." She smiles a litle and starts moving again. The taller girl would look a little more pale.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
It's okay she doesn't get it. Usagi's just trying to make herself feel better. It's not exactly working, but now she's at Force Cheer! That works!

"It's okay." Her fingers tighten warmly around the elbow she's holding. "There's a lot of that around here. You'll...get used to it."

And then they reach the shop! She opens the door, holds it open, and sighs happily at the blast of warmth against her face. "Oh, cozyyyy! Oh! Do you want help with colors? If you need someone to tell you if a coat looks good, I'm here to help!"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    "Its not really. I was warned about how dangerous that stuff is especially to people who are helpless against it. Like me. Madoka-chan warned me that if I encounter it I should run away or hide. When I stopped I was waiting to see what it would do." Shinobu blushes a little... Thankfully that is short lived as theres the store!

    "Oh thank you so much!" She faces the person in the store, "I few school uniforms please?" She gives her sizes to them before being lead to the coats. "Okay I like green and purple. I think warm is the important thing right now. Do you see anything like that?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"You have the advantage of knowing they're there, though!"

Inside the store, she blinks at the interaction. She'd hardly even noticed the store worker!

Usagi hums over some coats. Green and purple. Green or purple.

She finds a nice, forest green wool coat, a purple puffy coat, and a few more options in these colors!

"You have a lot more options than I do! I like pink. But not bright pink! The coat your wearing is a nice, pale pink."

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    Shinobu shakes her head, "Its not really an advantage. I honestly didn't ask for this lunacy. I just want to try to get along. Does that make sense?" She reaches out and touches the wool coat. Its nice and warm to her. Really soft too. She pulls it close and hugs it. "I like the feel of this one. Its cozy!" She quickly puts it on, returning Usagi's coat. "Mmmmm. How does it look? Does it fit?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi shrugs. "It does. You just want to be 'normal.' But it's possible to try to be both."

She takes her cat back and snugs it back on. She gasps in delight at the coat Shinobu is wearing. "I like it! It looks classy!"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu Kimura smiles a little and gives a little pose. "Both what? I haven't been normal since I lost my vision. Somehow my body compensated with a form of ESP that lets me see life energy and magic. Like with my mind's eye, I can see that you are right there." She gestures to Usagi and then continues. Turning her head. "Someone is standing over there. They've been there since we walked in which means that is likely a store person and also the one who has the uniforms. I'm nothing special. Just some girl who sees things funky."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Her eyes widen slightly in awe, stars in her pupils. "Wow! I'm barely aware of people standing right next to me!"

She sighs and rocks on her heals. "I used to be normal. Or maybe I only thought I was. Sometimes I wish I were again, but that'd probably mean I wouldn't know the people I do."

Speaking of, the store clerk comes over with the uniforms. "I've found your size. We have some winter sets, still, and some cool weather ones if you wish to buy them early. If you'd like to try them on, you may."

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    Shinobu gives a little smirk and shrugs. "Its a habit. I can't see physical things like walls, or clothes, or racks... pretty much unless its got a life force or magic I can't see it. It helps me to be observant so I'm less likely to bump into things. My cane helps me out with that though." She smiles softly and hugs the wool coat again cause WARM!

    When Usagi starts talking about having been normal she brings her finger to her lips. "I don't know how you are not normal but I'd suggest we talk about that over our crepes in a bit." Than there is the clerk "Oh umm. That sounds great. It would be a great help. Lead me to the changing room and I will try things on, please?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi shrugs, unabashed. "You're right. We should save something to talk about over crepes!"

The store clerk blinks for a moment, then nods before leading the way. (Usagi follows, of course!)

"Your clothes are on the hook, anything that doesn't...fit, just leave on the floor."

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    Shinobu steps into the changing room and starts on dressing The half doors give a little glimpse at the girls exposed skin. It doesn't last long. She quickly is getting dressed in the Infinity U highschool uniform. "I miss my old uniform! It was cute!" She carefully buttons her blouse and then holds up her tie, "Usagi-chan, what color is the tie? Could you find me a viridian colored one?" She gets her leggings and skirt on. Then her shoes. "Hmmm, Shoes are a little big." SHe takes them off and steps out.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi leans against the wall next to the dressing room. "The ties are red. I think the Infinity uniforms are cute!"

She blinks at the request and does a quick search on her phone. Oh! That's viridian! Pretty!

"I'll go see what they have!"

She hums as she looks through, finding a few of similar color. She also finds some bowties in that color. And oh! Hair ribbons!

She dangles her finds over the door. "Got you some ties and bowties and even a few hair ribbons!"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu Kimura smiles and takes the bowtie. While it isn't exactly standard she quickly puts the bowtie on and ties it. Than she lets her hair down tossing away the rubber band she had been using to keep her ponytail up. Accepting one of the hair bows she redoes her ponytail with a veridian bow. It stands out really well against her red hair. "How do I look?" She poses playfully.

    The shoes are replaced and she puts them on quickly. At least she feels ready for school. "Its comfy at least. Yeah, Ummm this size workds. Thank you. I will change back. You can bag it up... can I keep the hair bows in please?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi claps at the impromptu fashion show. "You look cute!"

The store clerk nods. Then realizes herself. Moment of fumbling! "Of course."

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    Shinobu returns into the changing room and gets dressed again in her own clothing. She gathers the clothing on the floor and returns them to the clerk before stepping out. "I think We are ready to go. I will pay for this quick and then... CREPES! Gotta get ourselves all sugared up right?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The store clerk blinks and lets out a surprised "Thank you" before handing them to an associate to fold and hang properly.

Usagi raises both arms in a cheer. "Yes! Sugared up is the only way to be!"

She follows Shinobu to the register, fiddling with the cute odds and ends meant to lure customers into buying more stuff. "And then, maybe we can find a place around here that does milkshakes!" She knows where a place is nearby, of course.

As an afterthought, she adds, "And that could be on me!"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu quickly pays the man and takes her things. She wears her her new coat out of the store with feeling much warmer than she was before. "Okay Usagi-chan! Lead the way!" She states as she gets her barings with her cane. "Now then. what were you saying inside? Oh and I won't turn ya down."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The crisp winter air bites at her cheeks, but that's okay! She leads the way to the crepes (CREPES!!!) and hums.

"Hmm? Oh! Just that...sometimes I wish I were normal. But..." She sighs. "Then I wouldn't know my precious friends."

She sighs again. "It may be easier for them if I were normal, though."

Ah, the crepe stand! She breathes in the glorious scent!

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu Kimura raises an eyebrow at Usagi, "You are normal. More normal than I am anyway. I mean you are really sweet and a very kind person. I could see that about you before you spoke. That is an important thing. To me you practically glow with good life energy. Thats a very good thing." She steps closer and gives a hug. "You are you. That is who you are and that is who you should be. You're still growing into the woman you will be. You've got your life ahead of you and that is awesome. Right?"

Upon breaking the hug, She moves toward the stand and orders herself a very yummy looking crepe loaded with chocolate, peanut butter creme and whipped cream.... oh and of course sprinkles. "You're up Usagi-chan!"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Her cheeks warm at the compliments, and even more at the hug. Yay hugs! (Mental note, it's okay to hug Shinobu!)

"It is!" Well, it will be! "And hopefully it'll go how I want!" She doesn't have much plans for future wants. Unless marrying the boy you love and annoying him until death do they part counts.

Oh goodness, Usagi! Marriage?! She's too young for such thoughts, stop it! Teehee!

Her eyes go wide at her selection choices. She wants them all! In the end, her monstrosity of a crepe has chocolate, strawberries, peanut butter, bananas, and sprinkles!

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
    Shinobu of course has no idea what Usagi has gotten. Happily she takes a bite out of hers and then calls out, "Oishii!" What she doesn't realize is she just got whipped cream all over her sunglasses. Ah well, she's enjoying her yummy crepes. "How are yours? These are delicious!"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi giggles a bit. "Whipped cream on your sunglasses."

She takes a bite of hers. "Mmmmm! Mine's sooooo good!" She, of course, has whipped cream on her nose!

"The strawberries are what make it! No, the chocolate! No, the peanut butter! No! Bananas! Augh I can't choose!"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu Kimura takes her sunglasses off and quickly wipes them off. Her eyes remain open and its clear there is scaring on her eyelids and around them as well. Her eyes themselves are pure white. No sign of any coloring or pupils. Quickly she puts the sunglasses back on. "oops!" She giggles and takes another bite of hers. "Mine tastes like peanut butter cups! It tastes so good together!

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi really hopes those eyes don't hurt anymore. She'd be sad if they did!

"Right? They go well together in milkshakes, too! Better if you add bananas! Not strawberry in that mix, if you go that route. Sad sigh."

Chom nom!

"Ohhhhh, I needed this! Thank you very much!"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu Kimura smiles softly, "No, Thank you! I was cold and you let me use your coat. THat means a lot to me. This is just something normal friends do right." She gives a warm smile. "This is very nice. Food just brings people together just right. You could probably cause world peace with the right food!"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
See, Usagi? When you're HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY, you make new friends! "Well, you just looked so cold! What else would I have done?"

Chom nom. So yummy!

"And sadly, no. I'd eat it all before the summit even begins!"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
"Walked on by. No one would of blamed you for that. When I gave mine to Minoke-chan It actually took me some thought. I don't like being cold but she was cold and wet. I'd of really beat myself up if she got sick." Shinobu shrugs and chomps on some more of her stuff. Its definitely delicious. "Self control goes a long way. My mom made sure I learned that."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi considers this. And hums. And thinks. "Nope. I don't think I would have. Unless you told me to."

"I have self control. Sometimes! Rarely! But never around yummy food. How are you supposed to taste all the good tastes if you do it slowly?"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu Kimura smiles and finishes her crepes. Taking her cane in her hand she moves her hold on it to the middle. "Step back just a little. I'll teach you something if you're interested." She steps back.extending the cane she spins herself in a 360 to insure she has plenty of room and isn't going to hit anyone. Than she begins twirling the cane, not like a baton but like a weapon.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi scuttles out of the way, then more so in the initial spin.

Her eyes widen with stars in them again. "Ohhhh!" So twirly! And something she would not want to get whacked with!

"No one's going to get away with trying to mug you!" Once again, her arms are up in a cheer!

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu Kimura snickers at that comment but that isn't the lesson. "Anyone can take a stick and spin it around. In fact I'm pretty sure most of us did at some point. Just pick up a stick and play with it right." She keeps spinning the the cane in a basic manner. Nothing flashy." Its like a temptation though. Its so easy to give in and do it. Easy to pick up a stick and twirl it around.

Her technique begins stepping up. Her spinning slows down, each movement is more refined and with purpose. "When I slow down, my movements are easier to see. things are Smoother. That is the essence of self control When you go in. You slow down. Your movements are more deliberate. Same goes for your tasting. If you inhale the food all the flavors run together and you get a somewhat tastey mess, but if you slow it down..."

Her actions shift. Her movements become a kata. the stick is moved and blended with several smooth strikes. She adds in punches and kicks. "Everything becomes a beautiful dance. THose lovely flavors dance in your mouth letting you enjoy every bit of them." SHe smiles softly and tosses the cane high in the sky as she positions herself. One handed she catches it and brings it down to the ground with a whack!

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi makes noises as she nods, in great concentration. "Yes, yes! So, slow down to taste things! Unless it's carrots, then basically swallow as fast as you can so you don't taste them at all!"

She sighs, less exuberant. "But sometimes...you have to taste everything when you can. Because one day, before you know it, it's just...ripped away."

Bright and cheerful again. "Did you still want a milkshake?"

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu Kimura smiles, "Sure, Lets do it!" She moves in closer to Usagi, once again using her cane as a cane. "You can always try new things. Its also why a doggie bag is a wonderful thing." She smiles softly and almost looks sad but that is quickly hidden.

My mother wanted me to never be a victim. So She insisted I learn some self defense. I got into Kabudo. I learned several weapons techniques but the most I really use them for is katas."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi's hand is once again on that elbow, more as a companionable thing, as she leads the way toward milkshakes.

She hums a bit, eyes staring straight ahead, unfocused just enough to still see where she's going. "Sometimes, though, you just know the old thing is the best there is. Or was. And so long as it's possible to get it back, the idea of trying new things just settles funny in your tummy. And even then! Because it's the best flavor in the world, and nothing will ever compare, ever, you know you'd rather wind up alone with twenty cats than try to find something even close!"

This is her Plan B. If Mamoru never comes back to her, she'll happily be Forever Alone.

"But this doesn't mean I won't enjoy flavors of other things!"

She's impressed once again! "I'm trying kickboxing right now. I'm still not good at it, but it's fun!" When Hannah isn't trying to exhaust her to death!

Shinobu Kimura has posed:
Shinobu gives a warm smile to Usagi and they continue on to the ice cream parlor. The conversations continue, things about how school is going and Usagi's grades. Its a wonderful time of getting to know each other. Then as the day's light begins to fade, Shinobu says her good byes and makes her way back to the dorm.