866/Small Talk

Small Talk
Date of Scene:	15 January 2016
Location:	Uminari City - Midori-Ya Cafe
Synopsis:	Big Secrets
Cast of Characters:	Amu Hinamori, Nadeshiko Fujisaki

---

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko needs to talk to Amu. Mostly because of what Tadase and herself had talked about, of course. But more than that.

She feels guilty that her biggest reason for arranging this meeting is a purely selfish one. She wants more moments with Amu, as Nadeshiko, before the pink haired girl finds out.

As they order, her hand slips through Amu's arm. Perhaps a little out of character for her, normally, but lately she thinks that she doesn't have much time of just this left.

Change, after all, cannot be stopped.

"I spoke with Tadase-kun."

It's all she says as they wait.

Her stomach growls, and she really wants that large burger with extra fries.

But that's really not delicate or graceful, is it?

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Winter is when girls suffer the most for fashion, and with Amu's mother, fashion is not an option. Still, the teen actually enjoys looking cute, even when it means she's a little cold in the winter weather.

Today, Amu is in a short black skirt with a tulle petticoat, a pink babydoll tee with black polkdots, and a white sweater (only buttoned once just beneath her bust).

Thigh high black stockings and garters are her only real nod to the cold, and she is cold, but rather than allow herself to shiver and chatter, she instead just leans a little closer into Nadeshiko, not finding the close contact odd at all when she herself is interested in thew armth.

As the pair wait in line, Amu's eyes are scanning the menu curiously, up until Nadeshiko speaks. "You did?" she asks, turning to regard her friend cufriously. Then Nadeshiko's stomach growls, and Amu snickers. "Hungry? Maybe we shouldn't split an order, this time."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
"I did. About a certain dance. And things."

She gives a snort, and somehow even her snort is delicate. "Your vision of my grace may be forever marred by the voricity in which I eat that hamburger."

Still, she is starving, and orders what she wants, and extra fries. "Since I am breaking our tradition, order what you like, as well. My treat."

Though she is aware of the cold, she is not actually chilled. Her long dusky blue skirt is designed for winter, and beneath she's doubled up with thick leggings. Also, too, the added benefit of boy's underwear. Normally she dresses in the complete disguise, but she makes allowances for the chill. And of course, her sweater is oversized, loosely turtled at the neck. (And matches, of course!)

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu follows Nadeshiko in ordering, and in fact orders mostly the same thing. She grins at her friend, then grabs Nadeshiko by the hand and walks with her to a table to wait for their food.

"Somehow I suspect you will even manage to eat your own cheeseburger in the most refined way, possible. Your elegance is undeniable, Nadeshiko-chan," she says with a smile.

Then Amu leans forward and asks, "So what did he say?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko gladly accepts the hand before she sits.

There's a slight, pleased blush on her cheeks at the compliment on her elegance. "Well. Even so, you've been warned."

And then she's smirking as she leans forward, as well, leaning her elbows against the edge of the table as she clasps her fingers together.

"Well. You know I don't give out specific details of either side..." A pause here, because Nadeshiko. Her skirm turns into a reassuring smile, however, as she continues. "But I do know you both have the same concerns."

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu leans in conspiratorially with Nadeshiko, close enough that the pair can whisper and hear one another. Talk of Tadase demands careful consideration of prying ears. He is, after all, the most popular boy in school.

But of course, then Nadeshiko reminds of her neutrality in the matter, and Amu's expression falters a little. It's not betrayal on her face, but more like mock disappointment. She already knew this was coming, but she can't help but wish her friend would pick a side. (Hers, obviously).

"Which concerns do we share?" Amu asks, eyes widening just a little. Might as well manipulate Nadeshiko a little bit. Any bit of information she can glean is potentially going to be helpful in figuring out how best to approach Tadase in the future.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko is immune to all of Amu's faces! Especially the sad and mock dissapointment ones! (Nagihiko, on the other hand...)

Still, Nadeshiko is the one in control here.

But this doesn't really mean anything, because Nagihiko is the real person here.

Still.

She leans forward, maintaining that smug look. "Nope, sorry. I recognize that ploy." Still, she's a shipper at heart, so she leans in even closer. "But, I shall take this time to remind you of some of your own questions. 'What if we're moving too fast?' 'What if things don't work out?' 'What if she -- ' Oh, sorry, teehee -- ' he doesn't feel the same?"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu sits back stiffly and crosses her arms over her chest. "Hmph!" she declares, mock-grumpily. But then her stiffness turns into a smirk, and her smirk into a giggle. "That doesn't really tell me what to do," she notes to Nadeshiko. "But it is good to know he's worried about it, too. I don't know, Nadeshiko. Do you think we're moving too fast? Is it wrong that I really just want him to kiss me?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Her eyes soften, and her smile turns a smidge wistful. "I don't think that's wrong at all."

Has Nadeshiko kissed anyone?

...no. Only because without revealing her secret, it would be lying to the other party.

She then sighs as their food is brought to them. Her stomach growls again.

Both Amu and Nadeshiko are correct. Though she tears into the first few bites, she manages to devour it with grace.

Annnnd swallow! And breathe!

"I don't think...our line of work allows for slow. And even if not..." Nadeshiko shrugs. "I will tell you what I told him. You need to talk about it first. Figure out things out. But also know, if something happens, I am here for you both. There may be rough patches, but you're both so dear to me. I'll do whatever I can to help you become friends again if it should come to that." She is very certain to enunciate the last, because she honestly doesn't believe it will.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Oh, great. Amu wasn't worried about losing Tadase as a friend until Nadeshiko spoke up, but now--as their food arrives--she's starting to stress out about the idea. "If it comes to that," she agrees with a mumble, but it's clear Amu is struggling a little with that idea.

Reaching for her cheeseburger, Amu picks off the onions, then sticks it in her mouth and sighs. She is not nearly as fast an eater, and neither is she quite so dainty. Some of the sauce gets on her fingers and her chin, but she wipes and licks these clean right away, then sets the burger back down.

"Talking is hard," Amu explains to Nadeshiko. "I never know what to say, and I'm worried he's going to be upset if I ask him any of this directly."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Oh dear. She's caused an avalanche of worry, hasn't she. "That is the absolute worse case scenario. And I only brought it up so you know I have both of your backs."

Nadeshiko doesn't really comment or notice Amu's lack of apparent grace. For one, this is Amu, and for two, Nadeshiko could probably out-elegance a queen, if need be.

"It is hard. But only for what's important." She chews on a fry for a moment. Then, unsure if what she says next will be a welcome invintation, she hesitates. "I could always be there, if you like. For you both. But I understand that's usually...a private affair."

Amu Hinamori has posed:
It's not that Amu doesn't want Nadeshiko there for that conversation. In fact, she actually finds the idea somewhat of a good one. Except if she and Tadase did start kissing, it wouldn't be fair to Nadeshiko. Which means both Amu and Tadase would try to avoid that outcome, to avoid making their friend uncomfortable.

"Thank you," Amu says to Nadeshiko. "I really appreciate that offer. Maybe ... well, I'll think about it." She already has, but she is far too caring about Nadeshiko's feelings to admit it. "I just don't want to make him or you uncomfortable, and I feel like that's all I could do."

Amu sighs and goes back to her burger, to dwell on the issue while her mouth is full.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko blinks for a moment before giving a giggle behind the back of her hand. "Oh, trust me. If it became clear things intended to get uncomfortable, I do know how to make myself scarce." How can she troll yet be serious at the same time?

And then the troll is gone. "If I thought...things wouldn't end well. For either of you." She looks up at Amu. "You both bring out the good in the other, I think."

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu wipes her face clean again, then smiles at Nadeshiko. "I hope so," she says. "It's been a rough winter for him, finding out his close friend and mentor died, and having to help so many people. I'm worried I haven't been a good supportr like I should be. And lately he's been so worked up over Ikuto."

The pink-haired girl lets out a little sigh, then leans back. "Ikuto," she repeats with a mumble. "I think I'm going to have to stop him," she notes to Nadeshiko. "And I think I've figured out how to do it."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko sighs. "You haven't been a bad friend at all." This isn't exactly what Amu says, but it's what the dancer deduces. "I haven't been the best of friend, either. To both of you. And this...Chiba-kun, is it? I've heard rumors. Though I'm not sure they're preferable to death."

She looks up at Amu as she speaks about Ikuto. She mimics the girl's movements, leaning back. "Oh? Is it taking Yoru?"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu's eyes alight on Nadeshiko with startlement. "How did you know!?" she asks uncertainly. I mean, there's always the option that Tadase told Nadeshiko, but right now she's willing to believe her friend is psychic.

"Yeah, I think I'm going to have to," Amu explains. "I think Yoru will listen to me if I explain things to him, and I know he just wants Ikuto to be free and happy. Whatever it is that has Ikuto so tied up in knots with Easter ... I think Yoru knows it. He probably won't tell me, but he might help me try and convince Ikuto it's a bad idea."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko gives a sly grin and wiggles her fingers. "Maaaagic. And Tadase."

And then she sighs, and leans her elbows against the table's edge. Not on, because graceful and manners and stuff, but close enough. "I do think...it's a good idea. But we can't...hold onto Yoru too tightly, if we do that. We don't want Ikuto losing faith in his chara." She props her chin on her hand. "However, from what I've seen, Yoru often goes off on his own. There may be a decent window of time for this."

Ikuto does, of course, often rub Nadeshiko the wrong way. But this does not mean she doesn't want what's best for him. For some reason. (Possibly because Amu likes him.)

Amu Hinamori has posed:
"Exactly," Amu replies, a little excited when Nadeshiko doesn't dismiss the idea out of hand. She'd been worried her friend would scold her for the idea. Getting what amounts to tacit permission and support only fuels Amu. "He's getting hurt, and he's hurting others. I can't let him do that anymore, Nadeshiko-chan. So I'm going to take Yoru. Even if it does mean he loses faith. But I don't want that to happen."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko sighs a little. "Worse case scenario? Ikuto's faith is gone and his abilities are temporarily not an issue. Hopefully."

She leans forward, though, and her eyes show nothing but support. "Have you talked to Ran and the others? See if they have any input on this, as well? Temari may even have something. After all, they're charas, as well."

Temari, for her part, pauses in the middle of a fry theft.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu's charas are nowhere to be seen. Which probably means they're snoozing in the box she keeps on her hip with their eggs. "Mmm," Amu murmurs as she glances down to Temari. "I've asked," she says quietly. "They don't like the idea, but none of them had anything better. Miki is fine with it as long as she gets to kiss Yoru," Amu says with a grin.

"Well, Temari?" she asks, leaning forward a little to address the elegant Chara. "What do you think of the idea?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Temari, knowing full well she is caught, floats up with the fry behind her back.

Nadeshiko sighs. "You can eat that one."

Pleased with her haul, Temari holds her prey in front of her, now. "I don't normally like the idea, but...if it were Nadeshiko, I'd want her safe and happy." She gives a sheepish look over her shoulder. When she turns back, her eyes are glinting. "AND FUCK WHOEVER DECIDES TO HARM HER, I WILL TEAR THEM APART WITH MY BARE HANDS, YA HEAR ME?!"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu really shouldn't be surprised when Temari goes on one of her rage-tantrums, but it never fails to catch her completely off guard. Her eyes widen and she backs away from Temari, as if concerned that the little chara might pull a knife and cut her.

"Whoa, whoa, Temari," she murmurs, looking around worriedly. "Don't worry, no one's going to hurt Nadeshiko. I'll protect her, too, okay?" she says, smiling at the little fairy.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Temari looks up at Amu, suddenly as demure and graceful as ever. She hides her giggle behind the back of her hand. "I know you will, silly!" Teehee!

For her part, Nadeshiko just rolls her eyes a little. "Eat your fry, you little trouble maker." This is, of course, said with all the affection in the world.

"So yes. We have one chara's viewpoint on it. And despite Yoru's...tendency to wander off, he has a surprising hold on innocence. Perhaps..." Perhaps many things, most of which involve Ikuto's inner desires. "Perhaps this can be used to our advantage, as well. I'm not implying we trick him, of course. What we want is for his master to be well, after all, regardless that it serves our better interests for him to be so."

Amu Hinamori has posed:
"I'll do it," Amu tells Nadeshiko with a soft sigh. "If any of us can get through to Yoru, it's me. I think ... he still feels sorry for misplacing Su." She shrugs, just a little, then reaches up to grab Nadeshiko's hand and squeeze it. "Just promise me you won't laugh at me if I wind up with cat-ears and a tail," she grumbles.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko blinks at Amu for several seconds. Only because she's trying not to laugh.

In the end, of course, she does. Delicately, behind her hand, then not so much. "Only because you'd look completely adorable!"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu's stubborn irritation is legendary enough to have its own label: Cool and Spicy. It's that face that Nadeshiko gets, now, along with a soft, "Tch," in the back of Amu's throat. She turns away and raises her nose ... then turns back to her own french fries. "I love you," she tells Nadeshiko, "but you're a jerk. Do you want the rest of my burger?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
This, of course, causes her peels of giggles to renew. "I know!"

It's a happy sound, of course.

And then the burger is offered. "Oh my gosh yes please I'm still starving."

She takes the offered burger, but pauses. Speaking of love, and her -- his -- growing appetite. "Say. Amu-chan." She's careful to study the burger. "If...someone's kept something from you. A big something. And at first it's because they were used to it, but then because they weren't certain how you would react." Here she takes the time to swallow. "Do you think you would hate them forever?"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu's still being stubborn when Nadeshiko brings the question back, but at least she isn't legitimately mad at her friend. She slides the burger towards Nadeshiko, then blinks at the question. Her stubborn streak only grows a little stronger. "Lying is wrong," Amu says frustratedly. "I'd be pretty mad if someone was lying to me just out of habit and trying to protect me. Seriously, why would someone do something like that!? Ugh, now I'm angry just thinking about it."

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko's shoulders slump. "Of course. You're right."

She takes a sip of her drink, to hide just how Amu's answer affected her.

And then she has on the face of a dancer. An actor. "But sometimes, it's not habit, right?"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
The stubborn pink-haired girl seems to fade a little. Clearly something's bothering Nadeshiko; even Amu can see that, through her wall of cool and spicy behaviour.

"Hey, Nadeshiko," Amu says, reaching up to gently squeeze her hand. "Is everything okay?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko grips the hand tight for a moment before she loosens it and offers Amu a smile. "I'm fine."

Yep, that one day just became when she was about eighty. If the guilt could hold up that long.

She sighs, then, and busies herself with the burger.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu is now certain Nadeshiko's not being honest with her, but what's she going to do about it? Call her friend out on being upset and not willing to tell her? Amu sighs, too, and lowers her eyes to the table. What did she say wrong!? This is why Amu is so worried about Tadase. If she can upset Nadeshiko, how much worse would it be with him!?

"Thank you for lunch," Amu says quietly. "I should probably get home, though." Run from your problems. That always works.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Of course she's the worst friend in the world. Ever. It's obvious, isn't it?

But then, Amu's leaving, and she knows that look. Her hand reaches out and grabs Amu's before she can even think. And then she has to. "I love you too, okay? You're just...one of my most important people. And that's a list of two. I just need you to know that, okay?"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
This, of course, only serves to confuse Amu even more. "Of course," Amu says, then leans down to give Nadeshiko a tight hug. "If you ever want to talk about whatever this is, just let me know, okay?"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Her arms are tight around Amu, and since the pink haired girl can't see her face, the mask slips. And she's scared. Even as she tries to keep it from her voice. "I will."

And of course, his voice cracks.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu startles a little as Nadeshiko's voice cracks. "What?" she asks, leaning away to study her friend confusedly. "Nadeshiko, are you feeling okay? You sound like you're losing your voice!"

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Nadeshiko's eyes widen, and her hands clasp over her mouth. Is that a hint of fear? Nah, must be indigestion from all that cheeseburger.

"I-I'm fine. Um." Cough! Clearing of the throat!

But anything more would require lying even more, not that she wasn't already by breathing.

"I..."

Deep breath.

Irrational speaking. "It wasn't habit! I was just afraid of how you'd react!"

Ooops.

Inching toward door...

One wrong move, she'd be gone.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Amu's eyes widen, too, as she realises that Nadeshiko wasn't speaking hypothetically with her earlier question. Even before the words spill out of her mouth, Amu has already figured this much out. But then she confirms iit, and Amu's entire world goes spinning groundwards.

A lie that Nadeshiko has been keeping for years, out of habit? A lie that she's perpetuated with Amu just because she's not sure how the girl would react!? Amu sinks back into her seat, trying to regain some sense of herself.

"Amu-chi?" Su asks sleepily as she peeks out of the box where she and Amu's other charas have been napping. The little green chara floats out concernedly, and looks to Nadeshiko confusedly. "Nadeshiko-chan?" But even simple Su can tell that this is way deeper than two girls being a little out of sorts.

The little green chara quickly rushes to grip Temari, very gently, by the hands. "Temari, what's going on? Something bad is happening to Amu-chi, and I think maybe Nadeshiko."

Amu somewhere finds it within herself to reach up and gently grab Nadeshiko's wrist, in the meanwhile. Her grip isn't hard. Nadeshiko could easily peel away and bolt. And Amu still isn't talking. She's too busy coping.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Temari grips Su in a tight, hard hug before she pulls away.

And then, she gives an uncharacteristic warning, with a smile and face hold. "Get back, Su. Nadeshiko needs me right now."

And then there's an eye glint, from both Nagihiko and Temari. "You think this is what I want? You think I gave a rat's ass until you? It was okay, it was fine, it was tradition!" Fists slam on the table. "Why does the idea of you hating me hurt so much?!"

Amu Hinamori has posed:
Su does indeed back away, nervous and worried, to Amu's side. Ran and Miki wake up, too, when Nadehsiko's hands slam on the table. "What's going on?" Ran asks as she floats out of the box, but Su is quick to shush her. The trio of little charas float away to have a conference, which leaves poor Amu all alone.

All alone with a best friend that's admitting semi-publically to a secret she (HE!?) has kept hidden for the entire duration of their friendship.

Tears begin to well in Amu's eyes, as she backs away from Nagihiko. Fear shows on her face; she's seen the combined temper of Temari and Nadeshiko, before. Is that anger going to be turned on her, now!? No, surely not. And yet the fear exists, and Amu cannot shake it.

"I'm sorry," she breathes out, reaches up to wipe at her eyes. "I'm sorry. I don't hate you. But I can't ... I can't be here right now." And now it's Amu who's standing, gathering her things, and preparing to run.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
It's the fear, really, that breaks Temari's control. Not that Nagihiko would have hurt her, of course, but now at least he has control. And a healthy dosing of shame.

Before Amu could make a complete escape, however, he grabs her arm. Not tight, because no, that won't help.

"Hello. My name is Nagihiko Fujisaki. It's a pleasure to meet you, Hinamori-san. I only wish it were under better circumstances." Before he's even done talking in that tone that's about as flat as his chest, he's letting her go.

Amu Hinamori has posed:
There it is. The honesty that Nagihiko has been hiding from Amu all along. There it is, completely laid bare, in terms that should be liberating.

But it's not. Amu is shaking when Nagihiko grabs her arm, even gently. It's not that she's really afraid of him.

It's that she's really afraid of herself.

When he lets her go, she is crying. Tears of shame, anger, betrayal, fear, worry, and every other negative emotion she's ever experienced. He didn't want her to hate him, but he may well feel like it's hate chasing her away when she turns to run, leaving her trio of Charas behind.

Nadeshiko Fujisaki has posed:
Of course he does. How else would he take it? How else should he take it? Her reaction when Temari had hold, the way she shook when his hand was on her arm.

After a long moment, he composed himself.

A mask. A dancer. An actor.

As Nadeshiko sat down and gently took a sip of her drink, she looks up at Amu's charas. "Tadase knows. But if you tell her, it wasn't his secret to tell."

And then, as though she were checking a weather app, she begins texting the only person she can think of.

TXT Nades: Amu knows.

TXT Tadase: Do you need me to do anything?

TXT Nades: Throw me off a bridge, maybe.

TXT Tadase: Not going to happen.

TXT Nades: Throw me off a building?

TXT Tadase: She's not taking it well, then.

TXT Nades: Would you? Just...make sure she's okay. I'm going to go to practice. Thanks.

TXT Tadase: You keep texting me too or I'm going to barge in there and make SURE you're ok. You understand I'm not joking about that, right.

TXT Nades: Sheesh, can't let a guy wallow in peace. Fine, I'll text you. Feel free to barge in if you still want, though.

TXT Tadase: No wallowing allowed. King's orders.

TXT Nades: Well aren't you just a prince.

TXT Tadase: You're lucky it only works when I hear it.

TXT Nades: Damn my luck.