View source for 1264/Caught Playing Hookie

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2016/03/24
|Location=Plot Room #1
|Synopsis=Nagihiko has been missing school, and Amu has come to track her down.
|Cast of Characters=134,85
|pretty=yes
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{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:134|Nagihiko Fujisaki| (134)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>People always say you have to find yourself, be true to yourself, in order to be happy.<br /><br />Nadeshiko tried that, and for awhile it looked like it would work.<br /><br />Really, the text wouldn't have hurt near as badly had there been some warning.<br /><br />Actually, no, it still would have, but at least then it would have been ''expected.''<br /><br />She looks at herself in the mirror, not quite blinking, not quite seeing. She picks up the eyeliner brush and finishes the smooth lines. Mascara is lightly applied -- without opening her mouth, thank you very much -- and she steps back to check her work.<br /><br />She turns a bit, studying the new outfit she treated herself to after seeing her brother off at the airport.<br /><br />She bites her lip in appraisal and--<br /><br />''He meets the wall with a startled gasp, and for the next short while, all he's able to do is hold on and try to keep up''<br /><br />"DAMMIT!" She hurls the tube of mascara against the mirror and forces the mask on, pulling the part she's played for years so close it nearly strangles her.<br /><br />She takes a few steadying breaths.<br /><br />It really shouldn't bother her this much.<br /><br />Give her a day or twelve. She'll be okay.

:'''{{#var:85|Amu Hinamori| (85)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Nagihi--oh," says Auntie as she peer sinto the room. "Nadeshiko, your friend Amu Hinamori is here to see you."<br /><br />Indeed, Amu is here, still dressed for school since she's come straight here on afterwards. While she certainly understands Nagihiko's desire to hide from their friends, she's not going to let him get away with hiding from her.<br /><br />Tapping out of her shoes by the door, Amu also drops off her bag, then moves to stand in the waiting area, patiently.

:'''{{#var:134|Nagihiko Fujisaki| (134)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Nadeshiko blinks. Amu? But she's been texting her as she'd promised. Hadn't she?<br /><br />"Thanks, Auntie. I'll be there in a moment."<br /><br />Another few steadying breathes.<br /><br />When she steps into the waiting area, the smile she gives Amu is genuine, at least.<br /><br />She leans against a wall and tilts her head, expression playfully suspicious. "I'm pretty sure I've kept up with the texts."

:'''{{#var:85|Amu Hinamori| (85)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Amu turns to regard Nadeshiko, then smiles at her friend warmly, but a little nervously. The words, though, draw a sudden smile, and she tilts her head faintly. "Well, sure," she says. "But I didn't say that was the only reason I'd come find you."<br /><br />Amu steps towards Nadeshiko and wraps the 'girl' in a hug. "I'm worried about you," she points out. "It's not like you to miss school. What's going on?"

:'''{{#var:134|Nagihiko Fujisaki| (134)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>She hums as she glance up for a moment. "Fair enough."<br /><br />Her arms are tight in the returning hugs, eyes shut as though that could block other things out.<br /><br />But of course, it can't.<br /><br />After a moment, she sighs and pulls back, but not away, and wrings her hands together. "I'm fine, I just--"<br /><br />She fidgets and bites her lip and glances away. "I needed to figure some things out. And I realized I need to be Nadeshiko for a little while longer. She makes things...less complicated."

:'''{{#var:85|Amu Hinamori| (85)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Amu gives Nadeshiko a skeptical look, but she doesn't immediately argue with her friend. Instead, s he reaches up to very gently wipe at a smudge in Nadeshiko's makeup, then smiles and says, "Come on, let's go to your room and I'll help you put your face on," she says, grabbing Nadeshiko by the hand as she finds her way towards the back of the house.<br /><br />"And then," Amu explains as she leads Nadeshiko, "you can explain to me how being a made-up character of the opposite gender is ''less'' complicated than being yourself, when you were so happy finally being able to be yourself for a while."

:'''{{#var:134|Nagihiko Fujisaki| (134)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Nadeshiko follows Amu, fingers wrapping securely around the other girl's hand as she's led.<br /><br />Her shoulders droop a little.<br /><br />She doesn't say anythig for awhile, just following, ignoring the door that led to the shambles of her brother's room.<br /><br />"Well, maybe I should have gone with 'easier.' A more simplistic complication?"<br /><br />In her room, she hovers over the vanity for a moment, fingers brushing against an ornate brush. It had been given to her by her father. ''Something to help keep you in character.''

:'''{{#var:85|Amu Hinamori| (85)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Amu sits Nadeshiko down in front of her mirror, then stands behind her friend, considering the both of them in reflection. She also remains silent for a while, then smiles just faintly--sadly--at what she sees. <br /><br />"Easier," she mumbles. "Do you know how unfairly pretty you are?" she asks Nadeshiko curiously. "I mean seriously, look at us both in that mirror. I look so plain and ordinary next to you."<br /><br />She sighs, wistfully, then grabs Nadeshiko's makeup kit and turns around, leaning up against the vanity so she can work on Nadeshiko's makeup. Face first.<br /><br />"So what has you so upset?" Amu asks curiously.

:'''{{#var:134|Nagihiko Fujisaki| (134)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Her cheeks turn pink as she looks down at the compliment. Normally she'd have a pity comment, or flip her hair in agreement. Right now, not really.<br /><br />She ''does'' look back at Amu in the glass, and with all seriousness, adds her own observation. "I've never thought of you as plain ''or'' ordinary." She looks back down. "It's one thing to ''look'' beautiful, it's another to ''be'' beautiful. I've always thought you were both."<br /><br />Nadeshiko tilts her face up when Amu turns her, ready to be painted.<br /><br />Then her shoulders slump and she pulls out the cell phone that no longer has service.<br /><br />She thumbs through and holds up the phone, waiting for the expected response. Which, in this case, is 'you're being stupid.' (Well, implied, Amu likely wouldn't put it so bluntly.)<br /><br />''Text from Kukai: Can you just not bother me right now? Please? I don't want to talk to you.''<br /><br />"It's really not that big of a ''deal,'' really." If she's lying to anyone, it's herself. "It's just the way he said it."
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