It's been a cold and rainy day in Tokyo, but Ami has at least rid herself of the burden of keeping secrets from her friends. Now, she's returned to her home--empty once again as her mother works another overnight shift. At least there's food on the counter for her. Ami changes into a pair of comfortable pants and a baggy teeshirt, then sits down on the couch to eat and study. But before she distracts herself too deeply, she pulls out her phone and sends Daisuke a message.
Ami Mizuno: I talked to the others, today. They were mostly excited to hear about you.
Okay it's misleading as their excitement was more about Ami possibly having a crush, but he could use the encouragement.
Daisuke Hansuke is not in the dorm right now. He's sitting on a bench sort of mopey somewhere in a park. His phone goes off. Oh...! Ami! He takes a deep breath. Did she talk to her friends already?
He opens the text and slides down his keyboard. Daisuke likes a keyboard he can touch rather than a touchscreen.
Daisu-kun: Thank you Mizuno-chan, that makes me feel a little better. What did they say?
Ami glances from her textbook to her phone, then smiles at his response. "Yay," she says quietly, to herself, pleased to have made him a little happier.
Ami Mizuno: Call me Ami. I suggested we introduce you to a loosely affiliated network of people like us who might be able to help you get settled, and show you how you can help others best with the Rod. One of my friends would like to meet you before we do that, so I said I would introduce you. Mamoru Chiba also wants to help you with this.
Daisuke Hansuke is under an awing of some sort in the park. It's keeping the rain away. He does smile a little.
Daisu-kun: Ami-chan then. (Yes, he's being silly and teasy. He is now in a better mood.) I guess that sounds better than nothing! Who's your friend who wants to meet me? Mamoru... I still dunno why he's so familar to me. I'd like to talk to him, too.
Ami blushes a little at the familiarization of her name, but once more she doesn't argue it. Instead, she merely giggles a little, then hastily texts him back.
Ami-chan: Chiba-san said that he wanted to introduce you to the group I spoke of even before I mentioned it. We both agree that doing so would be very helpful to you. I don't want to reveal my friend in texts, but I will introduce you to her soon, I promise.
Daisuke Hansuke is typing. Tap Tap. He has a coy smile when he sees Ami's changed the name he's getting. It makes him feel a lot better actually. He still feels kinda bad about last night's texts about his worries.
Daisu-kun: Okay, good then! Um. Thanks for that. I mean it a lot. I hope you didn't get in a lot of trouble with your friends. That's primarily what I'm afraid of really- but it sounds like everything went well!
Ami thinks back on the conversation, then blushes again. Trouble? No, trouble is not the right word at all.
Ami-chan: Luna is the only one who I was really in trouble with, and she came running to me to apologise for that, today. No one was mad, but it was a serious issue we needed to discuss. Stop worrying so much, Daisu-kun. My friends are good people, and they only want to help others. It would just be very easy for us to get hurt if anyone found out the truth, you know?
She doesn't even really hesitate before sending the next message.
Ami-chan: Did you hear that Seiyou school is throwing a big halloween party tomorrow?
When his dad was teaching him about social matters in his teens, Dad Hansuke taught Daisuke about 'subtext'. That when someone is asking one thing- they might mean something else. So when he sees 'Did you hear that Seiyou school is throwing a big halloween party' he's getting an undertone of 'Do you want to go to a party with me?'. There's no tone, though--- because it's text. Ami-chan seems reserved- but is alos shy. This is what he's been able to figure out so far at least. Is that what she's actually asking? Daisuke has to think on this before replying.
Daisu-Kun: I'm glad. She still knows where my dorm room is if she feels she has to check up on me or just wants to be fed cat treats. Whenever you want me to meet your friend, just let me know. It's better if I know some hours in advance- as there's some things I do around town. I own a car if you need me to go somewhere a bit far.
Now...
Daisu-Kun: I did not. Are you going?
He owns a *car*. He really is older than Ami, by enough that she actually hesitates. But then, Usagi and Mamoru seem so cute together, and Mamoru is almost in college. Ami bites her lip, then replies to his text.
Ami-chan: I don't know. I do have a costume, but ... I only bought a costume because Usagi dragged me shopping. I guess if you didn't hear about it, though, that you aren't going?
Daisuke Hansuke doesn't own a super fancy car. It's a mid-grade convertible. Not a sports car. But nice for driving around. He COULD own a sports car, but--- well. Daisuke isn't like that- but in the end- Rich parents who insist you get /some/ sort of car ASAP and learn to drive. Ex. when you go live alone. Daisuke isn't THAT old. At least compared to tall dark and masqurade.
Daisu-kun: I have a few costumes I can use. Nothing fancy or elaborate. I think I can go if you'd like company- if I won't be a third wheel or anything. I'd hate to ruin a fun time!
Ami glances towards her closet, where the costume she bought is still in its packaging. She wrinkles her nose, then shakes her head.
Ami-chan: Oh, you don't have to go. I just was wondering if you were going, that's all. If you were going I might go, too, but I didn't really plan on it. It's okay.
At least this way she won't have to figure out how to salvage the store-bought costume.
Daisuke Hansuke taps his chin. Still thinking. Still raining. But not as gloomy thanks to the talk.
Daisu-Kun: I think it would be nice to go. If anything, we can see where we end up- and it gives me an excuse to relax for an evening. I haven't taken a personal day for a bit where I did nothing but sit on my butt.
Well fiddlesticks. Ami stares at the response, then bites her lip hesitantly. She tosses her phone aside and rushes to the closet, then pulls out the ugly costume she bought. "Ugh, this won't work," she says, then moves back to the bed. Picking up her phone, she hastily swaps senders to text Makoto.
Ami-chan: Mako-chan, help! Can you come over? I have to go to a halloween party and my costume is a mess.
That done, Ami switches back to texting Daisuke.
Ami-chan: I don't really have a way to get there. I guess I can take the bus, though. It starts at 7. Do you want to just meet there? It might be hard to find one another in the crowd, that way.
It doesn't take long for a reply text from Mako to pop up.
Mako-chan: no problem! we'll rescue it!
Mako-chan: what kind of costume?
Daisuke Hansuke tsks. Is it rude? or is it not? or..... just... ugh. Daisuke needs to admit he has nooooo idea what he's doing now. He's sitting somewhere in Penguin Park underneath an awning. It's raining. Ami is back at her house. She just texted Makoto. He doesn't know this.
Daisu-Kun: I can always come pick you up, but you can also take the bus. We could meet out front, sure. I'm going to leave that up to you, though. Right now I'm waiting for this rain to let up. I went for a walk to clear my head. I think I'm going to go as a vampire.
He pauses.
Daisu-Kun: I am not actually a vampire.
He for some reason finds this REALLY important to express given everything he's learned the past week and a half.
Ami breathes a sigh of relief at Makoto's quick response, then thumbs out her explanation.
Ami-chan: Some store-bought thing I picked up to make Usako happy. It's gaudy and colourful and I don't even know if it fits me.
Because she's got such an abnormal figure for the one-size-fits-all-category, or something? Ami flips back to Daisuke's response, then blushes a little.
Ami-chan: I don't think I should give you my address, since my mom probably won't be home. But you could pick me up from Crystal Seminar. It's not far from my home, and no one should be there at that time of night on Halloween.
Mako-chan: got it. hmm, give me 45 mins and i'll be over?
Mako-chan: wanna make a stop on the way.
Makoto is already planning a quick pass through the fabric store as she texts.
Daisuke Hansuke text text type type. Still raining. He wishes he brought that umbrella with him. ugh.
Daisu-kun: Yeah, that's fine. I'd rather not make more trouble for you, Ami-chan~
Yup, mood still good.
Daisu-kun: I guess it never occured for me to actually ask- but. Does Luna eat cat food or like human food? I mean she is a talking cat so that kinda already makes everything silly. I don't wanna offer her cat treats or something if she likes like. Pizza.
Ami fist pumps at Makoto's text, then spins around and texts her back.
Ami-chan: You are the best, Mako-chan. Thank you!
Then it's back to Daisuke, whereupon she blushes at seeing her name so casually mentioned, once again. Luna? Why is he asking about Luna?
Ami-chan: If you really want to please Luna, buy her good tuna. But I don't think you should worry about her; she's Usagi's cat, not mine.
Mako-chan: welcome! ^_^ see you in a bit!
With this, Makoto puts her phone away and begins preparing to leave her apartment, packing up her sewing kit and some other essentials into a bag to take with her.
Mako has Ideas.
Daisuke Hansuke blinks! Oh! Whoops!
Daisu-kun: Oh! With how she was hanging around you that day..... I'm sorry! But okay, tuna. That's easy enough.
Daisu-kun: So what's your costume, anyways?
Does Ami even know what it is!?
Isn't that just the million yen question, though. Ami stares at the thing in her hand, then takes a deep breath and shakes her head. "Mako isn't going to let me touch it," she murmurs to herself, then texts him back.
Ami-chan: You'll see tomorrow! I should probably get some sleep.
Huh. Okay! He taps his chin and thinks. A surprise!? Well!
Daisu-Kun: Sure. Sleep well! I'm going to sit out here until the rain stops and if it doesn't stop soon, imma just gonna run back home and hope I don't get sick when I get back in soak and wet. Thanks again- I really /do/ appreciate you talking to your friends.
Wait, he's ...
Ami-chan: You're out in the rain!?
Poor Daisuke. Ami frets on his behalf then sends another text.
Ami-chan: Do you want me to bring you an umbrella?
Daisuke Hansuke blinks. Oh! Right. He never....
Daisu-Kun: Well not out in the rain. I'm under a small awning in Penguin Park for one of the shaded picnic areas. I got stuck out here when it started pouring. If you'd like to come out and rescue me- I would appreciate it! But you've done a lot of me already today!
Ami glances at the clock. Makoto said she'd be forty-five minutes. Penguin park is only about ten minutes away if she runs. Mercury could be there much faster, but that's cheating ... right?
Ami hesitates for a moment, then rushes to her closet to pull out a dress to change into. She certainly can't go out in her pajamas.
Ami-chan: On my way.
The text is sent hastily between dressing and writing a hasty note on the door for Makoto, just in case her tall friend beats her back.
And then she's out the door with a pair of umbrellas, heading for the park at a brisk but not rushed pace, beneath her own umbrella.
Daisuke Hansuke texts back quick.
Daisu-Kun: Alright. It's the Picnic area near the playground.
That's explicit enough to be found easily enough.
He gets up and looks around, not leaving the protective area of the awning. He keeps his phone out just in case though. He seems to be waiting mostly patiently in his Verone uniform.
Ami arrives not too long after her last message, only a little damp from th weather. She smiles when she spots Daisuke, and strolls in his direction, but doesn't offer her spare umbrella straight away. "Why are you out in the rain without an umbrella?" she asks him curiously.
Daisuke Hansuke waves, with a soft smile. "Hello~" he says.
No Ami-chan to her face. Yet.
"Well, it wasn't really raining when I went out. Then the sky decided it was gonna get as depressed as I was last night." he insists. "So I ran under here. Then you texted me at some point and that made me less gloomy. But you know. Still raining." he says.
"Then I felt like an idiot." he says. "...and I don't think I can teleport back to Verone from here. It's a little too far away." he murmurs.
Ami blinks once, twice, at Daisuke. "You can teleport?" she asks him, curiously. "That's ... a really amazing ability," she notes softly. Then she blushes and offers him the umbrella. "Sorry, I'm so easily distracted lately. I don't know why. Here, this will help."
Daisuke Hansuke nods. "Yeah. Not very far." he says, he smiles. "Oh...!" he blushes. "I guess I never really talked to you about what I can do I guess..." he sheepishly said. "Heal. And Teleport. And the costume thing..." he says. "But that's it. The costume thing seems optional." he says.
"I feel there's more but... for now that's all I can do." he admits gently. He takes the umbrella and opens it. "I know you can't tell me where you live- but is there a place nearby you want me to see if I can't take you? Get you home quicker and all that. You get here quick afterall." he smiles. "And I know I can take at least one person with me without consequence."
Ami smiles a little, then shakes her head. "I should just get home. It's um," what was her cover story again? Oh right, "past bedtime. And I still don't know if there is a finite limit to our magical powers, or not, so I try to only use them when it's important. Mercury ... has power over Ice and Water." Why is she explaining this to him? "I just didn't want you to have to sit here all lonely and not be able to go home."
Daisuke Hansuke feels a little taken aback--not from the refusal. But from well- the idea Ami was bothered that he'd be all alone in the rain. SO-- Ami gets a hug. It's not a full hug. Half-hug. Light. He's not trying to like smother her. "Thank you, for caring, Ami-chan~" he says gently.
"I'll go ahead and skeedaddle back to my dorm then. I'll make sure to bring the umbrella back to you soon." he says.
Ami blushes at the hug, and it comes unexpectedly. She breathes in, then blinks in surprise and blushes a little more. "Of course, Daisu-kun," she says quietly. "Just ... whenever. Be safe," she encourages him quietly. "I'll see you tomorrow."