yumemigaoka | November catch-all ♫

[It's not an overstatement to say that this is approaching Lisa's favorite time of year. Nice crisp, cool mornings, natural colors around the city... it's enough to put a bit of extra pep in her step, which she sorely needs. She's. Fine, really. But anything to help build up her emotional defenses is a good thing in her book. And, to that end, her signature piece of armor comes off its hanger for the first time this year: her usual fluffy red scarf, with a carefully-stitched music note at the end and frills, is around her neck. No, it's not really that cold yet, but... it's comforting, and it's a good splash of color for her besides. So while she's in there, she digs out the long-sleeve blouses and jeans that aren't tastefully broken in, and prepares for a day out. Her makeup mostly covers the dark circles under her eyes, but there's a certain something in her posture that makes it hard to believe she's entirely calm. Still, can't hang around the house all day!

She spooks around Promised Morning's culture festival for an afternoon; she knows enough people still attending that it'll be a good chance to show Lisa a different side of her friends, and maybe visit a couple of old teachers too. Maybe grab a snack while she's there and see if the cooking club is any threat to her. She gives the traditional haunted houses a wide berth, on the other hand, partly because they always seemed like the low-effort give-up option to her, and partly because she'll scream in previously undiscovered frequencies when something inevitably spooks her. But mostly, she's just here to relax, soak in the energy of people working hard to make something fun, and pop in on a couple people.

And late the morning of November 10th she's camped out in front of Matsuba World Market with her tote bag and a cup of coffee, ready to shake off grocery-shopping withdrawal by seeing what new stuff's been added. It's not like she's been doing that much baking in the month it was closed, but it's fun to see what they've got, and it'll give her new ideas. Plus she has a strange habit of running into people at the market... oh right, and she needs some of the good flour, she has one or two Important Things to make this month.

Lisa's also feeling a bit of pressure as the end of the semester starts to come into view, so she can be found at the university library with her books in hand, not seeming overly harried but intent on making sure she does well when exams roll around. For a chance of pace she ends up at Camellia, her usual quiet haunt, doing some light revising while she relaxes with the flora and something to ward off the chill outside.

Otherwise, though, she spends some time roaming the city to clear her mind. She can be found clothes shopping for something cute but warm, doing some early shopping for holiday gifts at the department store, and seeing what new seasonal drinks will inevitably be too sweet to finish this year. Occasionally she'll have her bass over her shoulder instead of her tote, and she'll drift toward the DU or a karaoke box to practice and get out of the house. And she definitely looks like she needs that - as the day yields to afternoon and evening, she inevitably looks less stressed, until she's on the train home again and it seems like she just starts getting anxious. Hmm. This probably isn't concerning or anything. Nope. No problems here-]

[ Another November, another not telling anyone about her birthday. Still, she's gotta poke around for something to treat herself, alone, and that means that she might want something a little more exciting than a typical cake.

'Late morning' is still early enough that she looks just a bit unkempt. ]

[Surprise, the market didn't get any new and exotic food coloring in. There's only so many of those to go around, and besides, color is art in and of itself. Lisa is instead browsing the bakery for inspiration when she comes across... hold on, this lady seems familiar. Strange. There's a bit of confusion on her face, but she masks it with her usual peppy greeting. She's not going to comment immediately on the rolled-out-of-bed look, she's had those days.]

You looking for dessert ideas too?

[Dress and hair aside, Lisa doesn't really look any different from Rhodonite. Then again, that's a fair bit of real estate, and in jeans and a fluffy scarf that's a bit of a shift...]

[-no. Definitely no problems here. She's doing just fine. THere are no rpoblems. Everythign is fine-]

Karen-chan do you have a minute?
I need a little help with something and I think you might be able to point me in the right direction.

[This conversation, on the other hand, is a bit more sensitive of a subject, and Lisa's not entirely sure she wants to have it at all. But she needs to. She has to, or she's just going to spin her wheels until she makes herself miserable. So she sends that text before she loses her nerve and hopes Karen answers.]

[Lisa doesn't have to wait too long before she gets a response.]

Your timing is perfect, I just finished doing a paper for one of my classes. So yes, I have a minute now. What can I do for you?

[The girl on the other end is far less apprehensive. She was happy for a distraction to remind her that there was more to life then just school work.]

[ There are only so many colors. What's exotic is usually coloring and adding flavor with spices like turmeric or saffron.

Not that Kozakura knows how to cook.

She barely even notices that she's being spoken to, for a moment, before glancing at a very vaguely familiar figure. Usually, they're too busy to focus on trying to match faces to the waking world. ]

...what would you pick? To treat yourself?

[She's trying not to think of that herself. She's good about her assignments but that doesn't mean she enjoys doing them...]

You said your... sister I think, had that apartment complex, right? I'm looking to move out of my parents place and I'm [-searching for the right euphemism here, not that she needs to try that hard-] scoping out my options.

Hmm... [She pauses, genuinely considering the question.] I'm a little biased since I bake sweets myself, but you know, there's something about a good cupcake when I'm not feeling it. My own personal bit of sugar, not one split off a larger whole. This one's all mine from start to finish and I get to enjoy it the way I want, with the things I want on it and in it, with no pretense.

[A beat.]

That sounded less weird in my head. But I'm not changing my answer!

[It had been an offhanded remark that had got lost when she opened about her worries of being a Dreamer without allies, but once reminded, Karen definitely does remember saying this.]

Yes, she does. And I'd be happy to give you any information you might need. But I should warn you ahead of time, the rent is not cheap. I probably would not be able to stay here on my own if not for it being owned by family.

That might not actually be a problem. My parents were willing to give me a stipend for my own place when I started college. I just haven't found anywhere yet.
We're talking, like, less than half a million a month? Not that I HAVE that much but just to make sure we're on the same page?

[That would... probably not be acceptable rent anywhere in the city except maybe the swankiest apartments in Koubai. Right?]

[ Ah, an actual baker with big opinions. ]

What if I were the type to buy an entire cake for myself?

[ It's not a good decision but since when has she made those? ]

As long as you don't eat it all in one sitting! Then it's still your sugar, your rules. It just might be too much sugar in large quantities, you know? Pace yourself. Maybe freeze some for later, even. [She pauses, head tilting side to side briefly.] It does mean you have to eat the same thing for a while. Good if you have one favorite flavor, though!

Mm. ...gotta portion before freezing, too, but if I get something that freezes well that could work.

[ Or she could simply perish of food mistakes. ]

Give me a few minutes to ask a few questions, and I will get back to you.

[A few minutes turns into slightly over 20, but eventually she responds.]

Well, the good news is that is under half a million. The bad news is that it is not much under it. My sister says the average rent, not including utilities, averages 400 thousand yen a month. I actually didn't realize she was giving up so much a month to let me stay here.

Eh. That's probably better anyway, so you don't eat most of a quarter sheet in one sitting. Then defrost a slice in the fridge later and you've got an on-demand pick-me-up when you're feeling a little low. [In a stage whisper:] Definitely only one slice. One slice, it's very important. Learn from others' mistakes!

[After giggling at herself for a moment, she adds-] Any particular occasion, or just want a treat?

[Lisa lets out a low whistle despite herself, once Karen replies again. That's a lot. She could maybe get away with that - an upscale place is valuable for her parents' image - but she's going to have to push hard, and she might need to get herself a job... hmm.]

That IS high. 0_0
Then again, it's a competitive housing market, and Yumemigaoka is only growing, with all the Dreamer stuff going on...
That's not a no. But I need to think about it a bit, make a couple calls.

[She hesitates. Then:]

It's a bit of a long story but I really need to move out.

One slice. Only one at a time, no matter what, huh?

[ Kozakura raises a knowing eyebrow. ]

Don't worry, we've all made that mistake.

[ The occasion though; she didn't expect anyone to actually ask about that, and her voice lowers, her eyes even scanning for coworkers. ]

...birthday.

We're in Koubai, pretty close to the city center, so I assume that is what makes the price so high.

[It was pretty unreasonable a price for a single person to pay on their own, unless they were already wealthy. She was very fortunate to be able to live in such a nice place.]

If it isn't something personal, would you tell me why you need to move out? I understand if its something you don't want to talk about, though.

[ The market really is the place for Lisa to run into people, huh. Or maybe she's just destined to see Illya when she's around food..

Because it's exactly when Lisa is sitting in front of Matsuba World Market that she will hear a familiar voice calling out to her. ]

Huh? Lisa-san..?

[ There's a little bit of surprise in it - and if Lisa looks, she'll see that surprise mirrored in Illya's rather innocent surprised expression, like she didn't expect to run into the other. ]

Were you waiting for someone here..?

[in typical fashion, Nikki keeps running across Lisa while she's going around town. Sometimes he's on his shortboard with a delivery bag on his back, other times he's just running around with his usual sling bag, but always he gives Lisa a cheerful little wave as he passes by (and promptly disregards trespassing laws, like the delinquent that he is). The usual fare, if you will, and across various times in the day.

It only takes two or three passes before Nikki notices Lisa's stress when he passes her one late evening while she's on the way to the train station... Which has resulted in Nikki cheerfully waving Lisa over one evening, the loud 'clack' of him picking up his shortboard that he came wheeling in on boldly ringing out across the street]

Yo! ... Are you doing okay? [there's a deliberate pause before he continues, jokingly;] You look like you're preparing to commit a crime, need a getaway driver?

Weeeeell........ maybe two. As a treat, on a bad day. [Lisa-] But I'm glad you understand!

[The brief moment of secrecy surprises her, but the reason gets her attention, and she brightens, lowering her own voice for a moment.]

Oh! Well, happy birthday, then! [Moment over; she returns to her usual volume.] Cake's traditional for that, yeah, but don't let other people tell you how to celebrate! If you want an eclair, or chocolate mousse, or cookies, or anything else, you do you.

Oh. Not even that far from where I already am, then. That's kinda convenient. Makes sense too. [Although for a single, horrifying moment she wonders if Karen's sister owns the complex they're already in. That doesn't pass though, Karen's sister would have to be quite a bit older than Karen for the ages to work since they've lived there Lisa's whole life.

As for explaining... well, she can't really get away with letting it pass, after she's asked for a favor. She grimaces at her phone, before shaking her head softly. It is personal, but...]

My parents don't really agree with my being a Dreamer, I don't think.
Or at least we don't see eye to eye on it.
It kind of came to a head after Hibiki-chan's Disturbance, when I woke up screaming in pain.

[Hey, when you pattern your life after a few things, you tend to run into people while you're doing them... or something. It makes sense in her head. Lisa turns when she hears the familiar voice, eyes glimmering as she sees the source, giving her a small wave.]

Illya-chan! Hey, good to see you. [She grins.] No, I'm just here to see my precious grocery store now that it's back in business. It's been a long month! [Her free hand goes to her cheek, and she puts on a mock concerned expression.] I just don't know what I would have done without my usual place for fancy cooking ingredients!

[Hand still on her cheek, she lets the expression fall away with a wink.] Are you doing all right? It's been a bit since I've checked in with you.

[Really, it should surprise her - Yumemigaoka is a big city, so statistically it's not likely Nikki would keep happening to be in the same ward, let alone actually in sight of her! But then, he's keeping pretty busy, huh? So she's not going to chalk it up as too weird. Apparently he gets around.

But as her mood deteriorates over the course of days and weeks, she starts to look forward to that little wave, and she visibly brightens when she catches sight of him. Something in her life that isn't on fire!

So when he finally stops to chat with her one evening, she does her best to smile. He's really been looking out for her, huh?]

Depends. Do you know how to steal mild depression and a bad relationship and make them disappear? [Completely deadpan, before she lets it tone go with a slightly more natural grin.] I'm... I've been better, but I'm more or less okay. Thanks for checking on me, Nikki.

[It was unlikely to be the same building. They would most likely have run into each other in the hallways at least once or twice. And while Karen was the youngest of her family, none of her siblings were a great deal older. Thankfully, it seems a case of crisis averted.]

You live in the same area? I suppose that would make the move easier.

[She would not have been surprised if she didn't get any response to her question, nor would she have been offended. But she did, and it brings up some personal feelings. Her fingers are tapping at her phone at a rapid pace the moment she finishes reading it.]

I understand that feeling. My parents don't know anything about LLENN. Not about the game I play, and not about her in the Dream Sphere either. I don't think they would be mad, but I still worry if the rest of my family would approve. They were shocked when I did something as minor as cut my hair.

[She hesitates for a moment, and then adds a single line of text.]

There is another option if you can't afford to move out on your own.

November catch-all ♫

early to mid November | around | open!

to market to market

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mid November | closed: Karen

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ROLLING AROUND AT THE SPEED OF SOUND-- (around the City)

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but what if she doesn't wanna follow her rainbow?

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