August catch-all ♫

[traceofeffort]

⭐ Who: Lisa and you! Yeah, on your phone in the front row! Get up here!
⭐ When: August! Waterpark threads will be on that log, but she'll be busy the rest of the month too.
⭐ Where: Mostly in Koubai and Kihada, but maybe also Akabeni? All over the place, really. See individual top-levels.
⭐ What: After taking a bit of a mental health break earlier in the year, Lisa's ready to put her life officially back on track! Part of that's going back to school, but her social life seems to be developing too... If you don't see anything you like, swing by her plotting top-level and we'll hash something out.
⭐ Warnings: Probably nothing, but while Lisa's mood is more positive than usual it's also a little more swingy. Lisa-typical poor self-image, possibly.

Comments

various universities across Koubai and Kihada | first half of August

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa isn't entirely sure what to think as she's exploring campuses; she's smart enough to be able to go, so that's not the issue. But even the short amount of time she took off - and her headspace during that time - have been a little disorienting. The campus tours have gone well enough, but once she'd been taken around, she'd walked around a little more before going home, rather than just following the crowd out. Her tote is over her shoulder for these, application packets and notes and flyers making it surprisingly heavy as she roams; her major being "undecided but probably art-related" means she's got a wide variety of information. She looks like she fits in well enough, professionally dressy but not stuffy sleveless top and undamaged jeans presentable for being around people that might be important to her future, but her head being on a swivel probably gives her away.

She does run more than a little bit on vibes, and she needs to feel like she can gel with a place she's choosing to go before she's willing to sign on for a couple years. That leads Lisa to explore for a while... which is fine, until she can't remember which door she came in through and winds up lost in the student union looking at club flyers; or in the library, browsing resources to make sure she'll be able to find things if she needs more help; or even in the dining hall, as much to pick up on emotions and opinions as she is looking at what she can expect for lunch. Eventually, though, she gives up and turns to you, wherever she's ended up, and with only a little desperation in her voice, asks:]

So hi, I might be a little lost, I got separated from my group. Mind if I ask directions? I mean, I have other questions too, but if you're busy-

[Oh, Lisa. Easy, girl.]

Library

[smalltall]

[The selected tour guide is sitting the library, with a book opened in front of her that it is obvious she isn't reading. Karen has found herself lost in thought entirely too much recently, pondering on a question she really has no one to ask opinions of, that being if she should just stop with her charade in the dream sphere. She has no one to turn to when things go wrong. She feels isolated, but is smart enough to know its her own fault.

So when Lisa starts speaking with her, she doesn't respond right away. It takes a few seconds before she even realizes she's being spoken to.]

H..hm? Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to ignore you. I was just thinking about something. I don't mind helping you. What do you need?

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa feels a little bad for interrupting someone who is somewhat visibly having A Moment themselves, but... needs must, she supposes. She smiles, even if it's a little thin. At least this young woman's talking to her!]

It's okay! I know it's kind of sudden. Uh... well, part of it is that I don't remember which way I came in, but before that, I'm deciding where to apply, so I'm touring today. I'm a little nervous about picking a place, so I'm trying to ask around and get a feel for if I'll be able to find help if I need it. [A wry twist of her lips.] Which I definitely will. So do you... feel like you know where to go if you need a hand with something?

[Lisa. Lisa you can't just ask open-ended questions like that-]

[smalltall]

[A distraction is just what the doctor ordered. Her mind had been wandering more and more ever since the incident that saw so many trapped in the Dream Sphere, so being dragged away from her thoughts was a good thing.

Though she still suffered from a mild case of social awkwardness, she listened patiently, trying her best to put a warm smile on her face. Something felt familiar about this girl, it made her want to actually help.]

It depends on what you feel you need help with. If it is just directions, you can just ask any of the students. I didn't know my way around at first either, and I found people to be nothing but helpful here. If its with studying, there are frequently study groups right here in this library.

[Which she feels too awkward to personally attend, but she isn't about to admit that so easily.]

If its anything too complex, I am probably the wrong person to ask about it.

[Feeling like she HAD no one she could count on for help, at least in the Dream Sphere, was a large part of why she'd looked out of it.]

Student Union

[hgs]

Li... I mean, I-Imai-san?

[Shinsha just happens to overhear Lisa asking a fellow student for directions. A year ago they might have ducked behind the nearest pillar to avoid being recognized by someone they know in the Dream Sphere, but... Lisa is a friend. So they gather up the Gardening Club flyers they've been pinning to every community notice board, and hurry over to greet her properly.]

I-I'm sorry, if I'd known you were visiting campus today, I would have offered to show you around...

[Of course there are tour groups that handle prospective student orientations, and as a freshman Shinsha is still getting to know the campus themself, but... they still want to help in whatever small way they can.]

It's easy to get lost here, so don't feel bad. I'm finished with classes for the day, so I can help you find your tour group.

[traceofeffort]

[She knows that voice, and her eyebrows disappear into her bangs as she turns.]

Akashi-san?? Oh, but please, call me Lisa. We're [-she hopes she's not presuming, and yet!] -friends, yeah? And maybe I'll be a little less nervous... hopefully. [That's looking unlikely, but it's worth a shot, as she shakes her head lightly, calming down a bit.] I haven't really been talking about my plans much, I'm still really unsure what I want to do with myself. So... yeah, I probably should have told people, but if I don't even know what I want, it'd be hard for me to ask other people, yeah?

[Lisa lets out a long breath, and gives them a lopsided grin. Shinsha's always been a good anchor for her.]

I'd really appreciate it if you're willing to take a moment for me, thanks. I might have ditched my tour group toward the end - it was good but I still want to explore a bit, you know? If I'm going to spend a lot of time here, I want to know I'll be comfortable.

Tsubaki Department Store, Moon Bunny Market, and TOKOROEMO | August 7-15, or whenever really

[traceofeffort]

Hmm... I dunno, is this a little too flirty? Or maybe this one, but I don't wanna be super plain?

[If casually approached, Lisa's out shopping for Obon stuff and window shopping while she's there, as their hallway gets just enough wind and rain that their lantern needs replacement this year, and if she puts it off too long stuff will be sold out. But she's really clothes shopping; she needs something for the pool party next Friday, and she... well, she's not sure if she wants to buy something for her date, or if she wants to look for something in her closet that speaks to her. Honestly, she's a little nervous about it, which isn't helping her choose, but her desire to put her best foot forward - at either event! - is stronger than her fear of making a fool of herself. That, in itself, is a positive change, and she recognizes that much. So she's doing her best to push herself and actually give it serious thought instead of going home and burying her head under a pillow.

She starts off looking at the department store, which by nature has the best selection but also is the stuff everyone is looking at; by Monday she makes a trip to Moon Bunny to see if one of the little local places has a nice dress or something, and Wednesday she makes the trek to TOKOROEMO to see if there's something vintage that would be cute, although her height makes upcycled stuff hard to work with sometimes. By Thursday she buckles down and makes a decision, and winds up at all three for whatever else she hasn't bought yet. Thankfully, it's too hot to bake in earnest, so her ingredient budget is getting shuffled into fashion. Otherwise her trip would probably have ended at the department store. As it is she's having to give the designer place by her apartment a wide berth - she likes looking good, but until she either gets a job or starts Dreaming full-time, she can't justify that. As it is, she's trying not to look at price tags first, but that doesn't last terribly long. Instead, she'll hold things up in front of herself and, occasionally, strike cute poses in the mirror. Hopefully nobody's passing by while she's doing it; she's just self-conscious enough it'd maybe be a problem.

Between stores, or maybe when she's done for the day, she settles at Camellia for a nice glass of something cold and sweet. Her bags are perhaps telling of what she's been doing with her day - her tote isn't with her today - but it's nice to be doing something other than obsessing over crafts for a little bit. She's careful to sit at a table with an open chair across from her; she won't mind company. In here in particular, she really never does.]

[i_peace]

[with the heat of the summer, sweeping outdoors requires frequent breaks for the older generations... Which just means trash inevitably piling up. Keiwa, ever the helpful sort, has been helping out by clearing out and sweeping some trash for several storefronts when he has time before or after his shifts at Camellia. It's during the early afternoon one day when he spots a familiar face looking through the clothing racks]

Lisa-san?

[Even though Keiwa calls out to her, he doesn't make his way over. Looking again, he has those extended tongs in one hand and a bucket partly filled with trash in the other. Maybe he's keeping his distance so that the trash doesn't dirty the merchandise]

Maybe try that rack? By the door. [he tilts his head over to one just inside the store] They have some new stock that hasn't been completely sorted, but maybe they'll have something that might work for you?

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa perks up, hearing her name. She wasn't expecting to be recognized on this trip... well, as she turns to see where it was coming from, this is. About what she should have expected. Keiwa is just everywhere in this city, isn't he?]

Oh? I'll take a look, thank you! [She stops rummaging through the rack she's in - nothing good here anyway, she's feeling very Particular today - and shifts toward the entrance, which isn't far enough away she can't still talk to him while she browses.] Hard at work again today, I see, Keiwa-kun. I'm glad you're keeping busy though. And I bet the older folks really appreciate you helping out, yeah?

[...that top might be fun but it's a little too bright even for her current mood, that skirt doesn't fit her complexion, this dress might be good but- of course, no, it's too small... Shuffle, shuffle.]

[i_peace]

[he's really two steps away from being a cryptid himself at this rate. Your resident Yumemigaoka Tanuki(tm)]

Volunteering is a hobby of mine. [he says, after he picks up and throws out some wayward popsicle wrappers from under the clothes rack] So I don't really mind. It's a nice way to meet and help people, after all.

[he let's Lisa browse without interrupting for a little bit, clearing out some other small pieces of garbage from here and there before he looks over, curious. She's always been very particular about fashion, but Lisa seems a little more discerning than normal today]

Um... I don't mean to be nosy, But is there something you're looking for in particular?

/SLIDES IN HERE HELLA LATE

[hanamane]

[Amane's just about done with his shift by the time Lisa rolls in-- with the boys being out of school for the summer, they had a lot more time on their hands, and thus more flexible hours to help at the shop. Not that he particularly minds, though; better to be able to get work out of the way earlier in the day, so he could have more time in the afternoon to do what he wants instead. Of course, in this heat, it's largely just lazing about the store with a book or his phone... although with the promise of the waterpark trip soon, he'd been doing a bit of research on the side as well. Not like this was exactly his first trip to the pool or anything, but...

He's got a novel in one hand and his own drink in another as he makes his way to his little nook of the cafe, eyes brightening as he spots the familiar face along the way.]

Yoo hoo, Lisa-san~!

[He all but slides into the empty chair in front of her, a friendly smile upon his face. His eyes dart to the bags near her feet-- with a suspiciously absent tote, at that-- and his brows raise in curiosity. Those didn't particularly look like her usual baking or crafting haul load, so...]

Oooh, busy shopping day today, huh? Couldn't decide on a swimsuit for the pool party or something?

[traceofeffort]

[She'd been a little worried after his Disturbance and subsequent recovery, but Amane really seems to be bouncing back well. As he slides into the chair across from her, that's made even more clear, and she smiles at him.]

Hey, Amane-kun. Good to see you. [She lets out a breath, sliding her drink away from her a bit.] Well, there was that. I can't just wear the same thing forever, you know? Looking good is important for keeping your mood up. But, uh. [A quick glance around, face pinking slightly. If Ai is somewhere in here and has any chance whatsoever of overhearing this, she's gonna keep her mouth shut, but. Looks like she's in the clear?] I also needed to bleed off some energy from my date a couple days ago, so I'm shopping for the next one. [Something in her seems to soften.] I'm super happy I think there'll be a next one.

[On the one hand, she doesn't know if Amane has a girlfriend already, in which case she just looks like a late bloomer happy about nothing. On the other... she's just in a good mood still, so she's willing to be honest, even if she does look silly.]

[hanamane]

[Well, perhaps it's less that he's been bouncing back from his set-backs earlier in the year and more... masking them better and squashing them down so he doesn't have to stare them in the face as often. Was it a good coping mechanism? Absolutely not, and a certain mental health advocate would probably drag him to proper therapy to deal with it if he knew. But if it meant projecting the image that he was Doing Okay, then he wasn't exactly about to stop, either.

He nods in vague acknowledgment to that first statement of hers-- he wasn't one to talk about fashion himself, what with his rotating closet of hand-me-downs and the occasional nerdy shirts he bought with his own coin-- although he can't help but tilt his head a bit the moment she starts flustering up. Did she buy something really risqué or something...?

Before he can go and say just that, though, she hits him with that bombshell instead, leaving his mouth agape.]

... huh?

[He stares at her for another moment or two, his brain trying to process this new information, the metaphorical cooling fan working into overdrive.]

Wait... what??

[It's not like Lisa wasn't a pretty girl or anything, and perhaps it shouldn't be such a huge surprise that she'd find herself romantically involved with somebody, but... but...

He slaps his hands down on the table as he leans in, eyes wide and comically frantic. Maybe Ai overhearing this would have been bad, but Amane's not exactly making it better, either.]

Who?? Who are you seeing??!! When did this happen??!

[Was he going to need to do the shovel talk on somebody??? Granted, Lisa looked rather pleased about her mystery beau, so maybe she wasn't seeing a total scumbag, but...]

Slumbering City | August 20-31

[traceofeffort]

[Ostensibly, Rhodonite's come to the Dream Sphere to help patrol; yes, the City is secure, but something in her will never truly trust that the City is safe again. It's a depressing loss of innocence, in a weird extended-metaphor way, but she's doing her best to ignore the ramifications. Instead, she's responding to the research call regarding the repairs and the remaining materials. It all looks like normal rubble... but maybe she can do something with it? She's no architect, but even she can visualize and shape. The problem is that she's got half a dozen ideas she'd want to materialize. What would she want-]

-no, that's not a question. Let's see...

[She doesn't strictly need it for this, but to help her concentrate - and for what she's planning to make - she calls up her bass. With a single long note, eyes closed, she starts dumping a little bit of magic at a time into a small block of fallen office building. After a brief moment, she opens her eyes... and there's a small, sparkling red stool there, just tall enough that her feet sit flat on the ground when she's on it. Which she promptly, gingerly at first, sits on, hoping it'll hold her weight. When it proves to be fine after several seconds and some experimental shifting - followed by a hard strum with her whole body, which doesn't cause it to so much as creak or rattle - Rhodonite lets out a breath and settles more properly on it.

And begins to play. Not for the lyrics, no, just for the rhythm. Something simple, but profound enough that she can focus on; she knows the lyrics and might get caught humming along at points, but she's not ready to sing quite yet. And as she lets the low, slow melody flow, she reaches out with her magic, gathering some of the nearby rubble and letting it take shape around her. She slowly rises off the ground as a platform is erected under her, but the rest goes behind her, spreading out to the sides bit by bit.]

((Lisa's going to be building a small, temporary bandshell as a research specimen, channeling magic through her music as usual; please feel free to influence the shaping though. For science.))

Yumemigaoka Aquarium | August 10

[thestarknows]

[Junna said she would do the research for the date. Which she did! She said she wouldn't overplan for it too much. This didn't quite happen and she spent a lot of time weighing different options, pacing back and forth, and fretting. But if she didn't do that a little bit, she wouldn't be Junna Hoshimi.

Besides, she is going on a date. And despite the fact that makes her nervous, this is a good thing. A great thing!

So she sent out the texts with the suggestions -- ironed out a couple of details -- and settled on, in the evening of Saturday the 10th, going to Yumemigaoka's aquarium. And then, as a nod to not overplanning, deciding on where to go for a meal after that. She arrives early, when they're meeting at 6:00 p.m.

She dressed up a little for it. She has a button-up, long-sleeve light blue shirt on, with dangling silver earrings shaped like five-point stars. She also has a black skirt and flats, and her bag is over her shoulder. She has her glasses on, too, of course, and she's just managed to not play with her hair. She stands near the entrance, looking down at her phone, and...

And she's not really managing to read the news article on the screen. Nope, too nervous for that. The words are just a jumble in her mind.]

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa didn't trust that Junna would take it easy on the research. But she also knows that's... is it the kind of thing you call a charm point? Either way she knows better than to try and rein it in any more than the warning she'd given, so. It's fine. Besides, she's not in any position to talk, as nervous as she's been the last couple weeks, particularly after they'd chosen the time and place. That made it real, instead of some nebulous thing we should do. She's got a show to put on, and she's got to knock it out of the park.

She's been slowly getting used to Akabeni over the last several months, so her steps are sure, even if her head's a mess. She keeps checking her reflection in every third window, not that it's changed in the last thirty seconds: an emerald green, flowing top with quarter sleeves she'd found in the back of her wardrobe, and a pair of cream capris, balancing the summer heat against the worry it might rain, although there's a collapsible umbrella in her handbag anyway. She'd settled for a pair of flats, dug out a pair of small gold hoops, and... fought her hair for a while, honestly, before deciding on a ponytail to keep it off her neck. Every few steps, she feels like she's underdressed, but it's also a first date, so she doesn't want to try too hard, which leaves her just feeling wrong as she pushes herself to keep moving so she doesn't chicken out-

-and then she sees her friend, her date, and most of that flies out of her head. The nerves, not so much, but Junna being here - early, even, so clearly wanting to be here; Lisa's five or ten minutes early too - is so immensely reassuring that it's enough to push them aside. So she raises a hand in greeting, steps coming faster as her heart clears.]

Junna! [A pause as she closes the rest of the distance to the aquarium entrance, a bright, breathless smile on her face.] H-hey. Were you waiting long?

[...it isn't helping her coherency that Junna looks cute tonight, which. She would have done on purpose. To meet her. Aaaaaa-]

[thestarknows]

[Junna looks up when she hears her name called out. And even if she's had time to get used to the idea that she's going on a date, her heart skips a beat. That means it's real and it's actually happening now. She pauses for a moment, as she looks at Lisa. She smiles, though; it's a realization, but it's far from a bad one. Then her brain rushes to catch up all at once. She steps forward, meeting her a few steps closer than Lisa would have had to take otherwise.]

Lisa! Oh--oh, not at all-- [A quick shake of her head.] I just got here.

[There's a quick second look. Junna flushes a little. Lisa looks cute, she thinks. She--well--she usually looks cute, and she isn't dressed that differently, except it's like there's more attention to detail, and that's for her sake, and--

And she got here early for her, too. Junna flushes more than a little. Then she laughs, happily, as she realizes they both decided to come early.]

We both had the same idea, didn't we?

[traceofeffort]

[Oh good, she didn't leave her to wait. Sure, she's early, but even beyond her parents' insistence on being early for appointments to be on time... she wanted to be here. She wanted to see Junna. Which, of course, probably was exactly what drove Junna to get here early... pfft.]

Ahaha... I think we did!

[Her own face colors as she laughs with Junna; Lisa has a feeling she's going to be at least a little off-balance all evening, but that's not a bad thing. It's kind of energizing, really, that they're on the same page enough to have apparently shared the same brain cell of date planning.]

I'm glad, though. That it wasn't just me that was so excited that I just couldn't wait.

uh, around | August 25th

[traceofeffort]

[It's been an exciting month. She's putting her life back on track, she made some time to take a break with her friends, and she got herself drowned in a ruined city by a huge Nightmare. She's been complaining about tentacles and water for the last couple weeks, but she feels... better, now. She'll push herself to keep it from happening again in future, but for now, she's content. And today, in particular, she doesn't want to let anything else get her down. Today, she's going to go out and have a good day. In a light, airy, vibrant red top, a dark, sensible skirt, and with her bass guitar bag slung over her shoulder, Lisa ventures into the city.

She hits most of her usual haunts: she goes shopping for a little bit, visits Camellia for a quick cup of (sweet and cold) coffee despite it being a bit out of her way, and then swings back to Koubai. But rather than going home, she heads to the Dreamer Union. And once she's there, she heads for a practice room. Taking her bass from its bag, after she spends a moment tuning it, she warms up, the rich sound a little muted from not being amplified. But she doesn't need that. Not just now. Instead, slowly, she starts to play a piece from memory that she doesn't really need accompaniment for. She's still a little rusty on this side - more than a few times, something sounds off, and she has to stop and reestablish herself, find her chord progression again. But she gets more sure as she plays, not willing to give up, and she scales her speed back up toward what it should be.

And eventually, after fifteen or twenty minutes, she manages to get to a high enough percentage of live speed that, despite her insistence that she isn't a vocalist, she softly starts to sing. She's not used to it as Lisa rather than Rhodonite. Music feels like... something someone else does, that happens to be in her dreams at night, that feels like her but at the same time feels so far away. And yet, in this moment, she doesn't care. She can reach for that feeling, borrow it from Rhodonite for just a little while, and maybe make it her own again. She feels like someone's hand is on her shoulder, silently giving her support. She... she can do this. She can do this-!]

If everything could ever feel this real forever... if anything could ever be this good again- ♪

((It's Lisa's birthday! If you want to find her anywhere in particular in Yumemigaoka, go for it, but she'll end up in the Union's practice room by the late afternoon.))

yes we've already got a thread but

[thestarknows]

[Junna saw Lisa earlier in the day, of course. It's her birthday, so she made sure to go with her for part of her excursion into the city. But she had to part ways at a point. There's some stuff back at Union headquarters she has to do.

Boring paperwork. It waits for no woman.

But later in the day, she's wrapped up. She starts on her way out, which leads her by the practice rooms. And she hears Lisa's guitar, first. She walks to the door, peeking in. And blinks with surprise, then Junna smiles.

She leans against the doorframe and listens. She doesn't want to interrupt more than she might have already. Junna watches... and it's hard to look away.

This is something she wants to remember for a long time to come, she thinks.]

[traceofeffort]

[She's not so absorbed that she can't notice the steps at the door - she barged in(?) on Junna this way some months ago, after all - but she doesn't worry about it for the moment, not bothering to look. Instead she focuses on coming out of the last bridge; it always gives (gave?) her problems when she's trying to subtract instruments to play it alone, and so when it actually sounds good she just runs with it. Her focus is intense enough she doesn't sing the last chorus as she hits it, and as the last note drifts through the room, her eyes are closed as she lets out a long breath.]

Hey. Sorry, I'm not being too loud, am I?

[...she glances over to the door finally, ironic smile on her lips. Most of her other friends would have made a different amount of noise - Amane and Illya have lighter steps and wouldn't have been as still, Hibiki would have been significantly less quiet even if she were trying to, Keiwa has heavier footfalls - so she's pretty sure she's right even before she looks, but seeing Junna seems to peel a layer of tension away.]

[thestarknows]

[Junna doesn't interrupt. She knows what practicing is like. You only interrupt someone -- more than she did by just stepping inside -- unless you have to. Besides, she always wanted to hear Lisa play... and it's a chance to do it. There is that little worried voice, asking if this is okay. If she's... somehow intruding, in an unwelcome way.

She decides to silence that thought. No--no, don't fixate on that. Besides, the way she sees Lisa smile...

Her stomach has butterflies. It already did before. It's a little unfair, now, how Lisa can just do that to her. But the best kind of unfair, too. She smiles back -- then she shakes her head.]

Not at all. It was... you're really good, Lisa. [She walks in, finally.] I'm glad I go to hear you play.

[greaterspeed]

[if Lisa has been griping about tentacles and water for a couple of weeks, Nikki's complaints (and lack of attendance to the water park) speaks to the volumes of salt he's feeling over the entire debacle. It would have been fine! It should have been! ... If it had been anything other than water, maybe. But if he keeps this up, he'll have over seasoned every meal he's been delivering lately!

Lisa probably spots Nikki in weird spots while she's wandering around town. Walking confidently along thin railings, climbing up pillars, occasionally even lounging across weird, hard to reach locations. Sometimes, she'll even spot him with those food delivery bags across his back. Nikki's nice enough to give her a cheerful wave before disappearing somewhere... And it seems to be for work that sees him at the DU, dropping off someone's dinner order when he catches wind of music and makes his way over to investigate.

Nikki gives Lisa a grin and cheerful applause once she either a) notices him or b) stops. Whichever happens frist]

[traceofeffort]

[He's like a cat, in a way. Goes where he pleases, ends up in places that make no sense with no apparent concern. But she's not going to question Nikki on it. Her hobbies are a little more cerebral, his are are more physical. Although she might need to try and learn from him - it'd be kinda fun to run around the city. Or the Slumbering City, for that matter.

But that's a matter for another time. Right now, she's in the zone, and happy she's playing well. And... maybe a little hungry? No, wait, that's something else. Why does she smell salt? And maybe potatoes.....? She looks up, but doesn't stop playing quite yet.]

And I wonder... ♪

[She doesn't stop playing when he starts clapping, inclining her head and grinning. She doesn't keep singing, though, content to finish out her chorus as she addresses him with a smile.]

You smell like someone's working late tonight and needs dinner.

[greaterspeed]

[he gives her a little thumbs up]

Me? Nah. This bag on the other hand though... [he tilts his head to the bag strapped across his back] Figured I'd swing by and give you some kudos before I drop off this guy's burger deal. Y'know, since there's no telling when you're going to finish but Sato's waiting in the breakroom. Speaking of...

[he gives her a quick salute before jogging off and out of sight. Easy enough to assume he's just finishing his delivery and removing the ever tempting smell of fries from the room. Nikki doesn't particularly mind, but it's never a good thing when his delivery reviews start to dip. He does come back a few minutes later, bag slung over his arm and phone in hand marking off another delivery done]

Woo~ 12 minute delivery! Gotta make a note of that route for next time... [a grin as he walks in] Y'know, you sounded great in the Dream Sphere but you're not half bad in the waking world either. You sure you're out of practice?