Start of #Youkai buffer: Thu Mar 19 21:45:52 2009 [17:17:39] [Week 1: Wednesday] [17:18:16] [In the morning, you approach school. It's busy as usual, with students settling into the new school year, and the first years are starting to get more used to the layout of the grounds.] [17:18:21] [Session Start] [17:19:42] * Berny kicks on her slippers and pads off to class. [17:20:43] * Kentaro is walking in to school, keeping his cap pulled low, the brim obscuring his eyes. He stops in front of the foyer and pulls a mirror out of his pocket, checking his appearance, before putting it back and heading to homeroom [17:22:16] * Berny sits down in her usual window seat, the one in front of Kentaro's, and stares blankly out the window. [17:24:14] * Kentaro pads up to his seat, and sits down behind Berny. "Hey, hey, what's up?" [17:24:40] * Berny looks up and shakes her head as if waking up. "Oh, hi, Kentaro." She smiles a little. [17:25:15] * Megumi stares out the window, bored. [17:27:08] * Anyone looking out the window doesn't see anything too spectacular. A white fox walks into view and continues to walk along until it's out of view. That's about all that happens. [17:28:28] * Kentaro perks up briefly at the white fox, and then looks away. "Ready for another exciting day at school?" [17:29:05] * For anyone particularly religious or Japanese, it might be considered an omen. [17:29:54] * Berny blinks a few times. "Huh." [17:30:59] * Megumi blinks. "...great." [17:32:00] [Homeroom and a few classes go by without incident.] [17:32:23] [Soon, it's lunch time. The cafeteria item of the day is curry rice.] [17:32:42] * Berny has her usual sack lunch, and she waits for Kentaro so they can go to the cafeteria together. [17:34:33] * Kentaro finishes repacking his bag after getting his lunchbox out, and nods to Berny. "Let's head out!" [17:34:49] * Kentaro pauses. "I wonder where Kale is. Dude's missing school on the third day?" [17:35:08] * Berny nods and goes toward the cafeteria. "Hm? I wonder if he's sick." [17:35:28] * Megumi eats her curry rice with disinterest. [17:36:02] * Berny takes the seat in front of Megumi, like yesterday. "Hi, Megumi." [17:36:40] Oh, hey. [17:37:31] How's the curry rice? [17:38:02] Alright, I guess. The dumbass isn't here this time? [17:38:12] Nah, he's sick or something. [17:38:22] * Kentaro scans the cafeteria [17:38:28] Oh, Kale. We haven't seen him in class. [17:39:04] * Megumi shrugs. [17:39:57] 'Scusi. [17:40:36] * Kentaro stands up and walks over to the corner of the cafeteria where a pair of redscarves are eating lunch with a small group of hangers-on [17:41:00] * Megumi watches Kentaro go, and scowls when she sees who he's approaching. [17:41:26] * Berny watches Kentaro as she unwraps her veggie cheese sandwich and takes a bite. [17:43:08] * The redscarves take their time eating and enjoying their food. One of them looks over. While she's not tall, she's got a good amount of height on the other, and has long hair. "Ah, Ken-kun." [17:44:10] Shizu-kun. It's probably nothing, it might not be this important, but... Do you know anything about white foxes? [17:46:11] White... yeah. Yeah, I do. [17:47:00] Because there was one on the grounds this morning, and, you know, I figure I should give you a heads-up if it's anything. Just in case. [17:49:31] * Berny takes another bite of her sandwich and chews. [17:49:41] * The other girl sitting by Shizuru stiffens a bit and nods slowly. [17:50:21] Well, uh, I guess that's it. I'll see you ladies later! [17:50:24] Ah... thanks for the news. By the way, who are those people you've been eating with lately? I'm curious about them. [17:50:30] Oh! [17:51:26] They're a nice foreign girl in my homeroom and a scary first year. Berny Don'tknowherfamilyname and Don'tknowherseither Megumi. [17:51:48] There's also Kale What'shisface, but he's sick or something. They seem okay. I think Megumi's... special, you know. [17:52:40] * Shizuru raises an eyebrow. "Special, you think?" [17:52:47] * Berny is watching the exchange from her seat with some curiosity. "I guess Kentaro knows some of the redscarves. I'd thought maybe all of them were mean like that redhead from the last two days." [17:53:16] Well, he did say that he was cool with some of them. [17:53:20] * Kentaro nods. "She's got the smell. I'd ask her, but I'm afraid she'd hit me." [17:53:40] Hm. I guess he did say that. [17:53:54] * Kentaro is leaning in close as he talks to Shizuru, trying to keep the hangers-on at the table from listening in [17:54:23] Wonder what they're talkin' about. [17:55:03] * Berny nods. "Me too." [17:55:42] * Daisuke has a seat next to you guys. He greets and eats. [17:56:02] Hi, Daisuke. [17:56:29] Oh, hey. [17:56:48] Ah, hi everyone. Say, where are the guys? [17:56:52] * Berny finishes up her sandwich and starts on her crackers. It's the same meal as the last two times. She's straining her ears to see if she can catch any of Kentaro's conversation. [17:56:57] Y'see that fox this morning? Or are you only into really weird animals? [17:57:17] Kale didn't show up to class this morning. Kentaro's talking to some of the redscarves over there. [17:57:21] * He blinks. "Fox? I didn't see anything." [17:57:49] * Berny shrugs a shoulder toward the conversation. "You might not want to look that way too long, though. -She-'s there and might get offended again." [17:58:08] Oh, there was just a white fox. Thought it was a bit weird. [17:58:09] Yeah, there was a white fox on the school grounds this morning. Felt like a good sign, for some reason. [17:59:29] Really? I heard that's lucky. But that's not... scientific or anyhting. [18:00:08] * Berny nods quietly. "There's things that science can't always explain yet, though, right?" [18:01:07] What kinda smell? [18:01:21] Oh, yeah. Science can't explain anything. Yet, anyway. [18:01:27] ( Everything ) [18:02:33] It's not familiar, I know that much. It's a little like a regular person, but... spicier? I dunno. [18:07:12] Hmm... anything... you can tell me about her behavior? Anything she's been wanting? [18:08:15] Well, she's been picking fights with the American guy, and complaining about how people won't fight her, and generally getting all excited about the idea of hitting people. [18:10:29] * Shizuru smiles. "I see. Well, if she wants a fight... we could deliver." [18:11:08] Where did you see this fox? [18:11:16] Outside the window of the classroom. [18:11:25] I'd probably say you shouldn't. But I guess if she wants to fight, it might be the right thing to do. [18:11:36] * Berny polishes off the crackers and starts on the tupperware of fruit. [18:11:43] * Kentaro exhales. "I don't know, man, she's confusing, and a little scary." [18:12:16] * The smaller girl giggles to herself. [18:13:04] Did it... do anyhting? [18:13:29] Nah, it was just kinda there [18:14:04] * Kentaro smirks. "I'd say that you should follow your best guess, but then, that's got us in trouble before." [18:14:32] It just walked across the yard and disappeared. [18:14:41] Anyways, I should get back to my table so you ladies can eat in peace. See you later! [18:14:55] Not in as much trouble as you usually get into with your girlfriend. ... sometimes. Alright. We shall see you later. [18:15:02] D-disappeared? [18:15:25] * Kentaro bows and takes a few quick steps backwards, and then returns to his table [18:15:40] Well, walked out of sight. [18:15:44] Not THAT kinda disappeared. [18:15:52] Whew. [18:16:03] Oh, Kentaro-senpai. Hello. [18:16:06] * Berny smiles a little. "You seem jumpy, Daisuke? Have you been studying too many, um, weird animals?" [18:16:22] * Kentaro grins. "Sorry about that. I haven't seen the ladies in a while, so I figured I should get them up to speed, yanno?" [18:16:23] * The two girls resume eating slowly and chatting around. [18:16:36] * Megumi snickers. "What, you really thought she meant it vanished inta thin air?" [18:16:39] * Berny nods at Kentaro. "Those are the redscarves you said you were friends with?" [18:16:42] * Kentaro sits down. "Hey, Daisuke! Good to see you're keeping out of trouble." [18:17:07] Yeah, they're fun times. [18:17:31] Yeah. Thanks... [18:17:40] If you say so. [18:17:46] * Megumi sounds skeptical. [18:18:21] * Berny eats her fruit deliberately and quietly. [18:19:43] * Daisuke looks to Megumi. "Well, it could have... some kind of ... I don't know" [18:19:54] No, really, they're cool. That one that shook down Daisuke was kind of... [18:20:15] * Kentaro searches for the rights words. "A total bitch. But those kids are cool. I think they're working on a suprise for you." [18:20:41] * Berny blinks a few times. "A surprise? For...who do you mean by 'you'?" [18:21:22] * Megumi eyes Kentaro suspiciously, Daisuke forgotten. "...Why would they be working on a surprise for me?" [18:21:49] Because they're fun times! [18:22:23] * Berny looks like she wants to ask about it more, but she says nothing and finishes up her fruit and juice instead. [18:23:37] * Megumi looks over in the direction of the girls Kentaro was talking to, scowling slightly, but there's a hint of an eager light in her eyes. [18:24:17] I wonder what kind of surprise. Maybe a cake. [18:24:58] * Berny cleans up her eating area and puts away her lunch bag. "Well, I guess if it's fun times, that's good." [18:25:24] * Berny glances over at Daisuke. "Anything new with the mouse dog skeleton thing?" [18:25:47] * Kentaro looks down at his untouched lunch, notes the time, gives a furtive glance to his left and right, and hunches over it to rapidly spoon it into his gaping maw [18:26:38] Oh, not much yet. I think I'm going to see an expert about it on Sunday... by the way... Berenice-senpai... is it true that in America, they don't have classes on saturdays? [18:27:49] * Berny nods. "Yeah, no school on Saturdays, unless you're a nerd." [18:28:06] But I guess that counts as tutoring, not school. [18:28:09] That sounds nice. [18:28:31] * Berny nods. "And, um, you can call me Berny. Everyone does." [18:28:41] * Daisuke nods [18:29:40] Man, I could do with a day less of school. [18:31:17] Homf homf homf. [18:31:36] * Kentaro seems to actually be making fake eating noises in the process of gorging himself [18:32:18] * Megumi looks curiously at Kentaro. "What the hell are you doing?" [18:32:53] * Berny peeks over at Kentaro. "Are you okay?" [18:33:35] * Kentaro looks up, a little bit like a startled animal, and composes himself. "I was trying to psyche myself up to finish my lunch before lunch is over. Because, you know, I don't want to take it back home full or else they might give it back to me tomorrow." [18:37:09] * Kentaro pauses. "Which would actually be pretty funny, but you know." [18:37:24] O...kay... [18:37:42] If you were worried about that, why not finish it after school before you go home? [18:38:01] * Kentaro looks blank. "Isn't that cheating?" [18:38:19] * Megumi looks blank as well. "How?" [18:39:21] Cheating at what? [18:40:32] Well, we're only given a certain amount of time to eat our lunch, right? So I figure if I- [18:41:39] * Kentaro grins. "I'm just messin' with you." [18:42:15] I just have to work this afternoon, so I figured I should finish it before it gets all clammy and gross. [18:42:32] * Kentaro holds up a shrimp from his bento box as an example, and then eats it. [18:43:34] * Megumi scowls, looking slightly embarassed. [18:43:59] * Daisuke finishes his lunch. [18:44:33] * Kentaro finishes his lunch, closes the box, and puts it back in his pack [18:46:00] * Berny waits without speaking while everyone else finishes eating. [18:48:04] Oh, that reminds me, does anyone want to walk to [Bean Around] after school today? I was going to stop by the farmer's market and pick up some new cucumbers for the good doctor. [18:49:01] * Megumi finishes and pushes her plate away. "Huh, sure, I got nothin better to do." [18:49:16] * Berny nods. "Sure, I'll come." [18:53:03] Awesome! [18:54:25] I'll be glad to join up... shoot. Lunch is nearly over. Where do we meet up? [18:54:48] How about outside school? [18:55:09] That sounds alright. [18:55:54] * Berny nods. "See you after class." [18:56:42] Yeah, sure. [18:57:58] [Class goes on and ends uneventfully. On the way out, Megumi finds a letter in her shoe box. A few other girls nearby look confused, but try not to look like they're paying too much attention. [18:58:00] ] [18:58:48] * Megumi blinks and removes the letter suspiciously, flipping it around to look at both sides before opening it. [19:00:38] * There aren't any markings. [19:04:58] * Megumi shrugs and opens the envelope. [19:10:13] * The envelope opens. "This is a formal letter of challenge. I'll meet you this Saturday after school at the sand lot." [19:13:08] * Megumi 's eyes widen, and her face breaks into a rather menacing toothy grin. "I wonder if this is the 'surprise' he was talkin' about. Maybe this school isn't so bad after all." [19:14:49] * Megumi puts the letter back in the envelope and puts it in her backpack. She leaves the school, a spring in her step. [19:15:49] * Berny waits in front of the school building after classes are over. [19:16:56] Oh, Megumi. You look pretty happy. [19:17:35] Could it be that someone confessed? [19:18:15] Oh, yeah, someone confessed something alright. [19:18:17] * Kentaro is waiting in front of the school, apparently having half-changed out of his school uniform. The jacket and dress shirt are gone, and instead, he's wearing a blue shirt with a a picture of a highly-stylized chibi girl playing a guitar, saying ["LET'S GO TO LAUNDRY"]. [19:18:35] * Megumi grins savagely. "They confessed they wanna fight me." [19:18:53] Seriously? Wh-who? [19:19:05] * Kentaro claps his hands. "Wonderful! See, I knew Shizu-kun would come through." [19:19:38] * Megumi looks at Kentaro. "So this WAS the surprise you were talkin' about." [19:20:23] Yeah. I hope you liked it! [19:20:56] Wait, waht's going on? [19:21:39] * Megumi nods happily. "Yeah! You're an alright guy, Kentaro." [19:21:43] Oh, well, Megumi's always sad because she's not punching people, so Shizu-kun offered to set something up. [19:21:54] * Kentaro grins. "I do what I can." [19:24:03] Uh... huh... well... shall wego? [19:24:28] Sure! [19:24:33] Sure thing! [19:27:07] * You head to the cafe. It's on a street side near a train station. A large sign reads [Bean Around]. Outside you can see a few round tables and chairs. [19:28:45] * A few students from other schools are already hanging around. [19:29:43] * Near the train station is also a small farmer's market, selling homegrown plants and some baked goods. [19:30:02] * Kentaro takes a brief detour before going into the cafe, checking out the cucumbers [19:30:06] * It's a couple stands, bins, and shelves, with a white cloth for a roof. [19:31:21] So, what's with the cucumbers? [19:31:38] * The bins look unusually empty, and most of the offerings look either small or sickly. The owners look drained too. [19:34:17] Oh, well, the good doctor's a real big fan. It's kind of a heritage thing, but all the cucumbers he's had lately apparently are pretty sucky. [19:35:06] * Kentaro looks around. "Speaking of sucky cucumbers..." He walks up to one of the owners. "Hey, what's up? I've noticed that, uh... I've noticed that something seems to be the matter." [19:35:09] * The baked goods, on the other hand, still look decent. [19:35:11] What, his family really afraid of Kappa or somethin'? [19:35:15] * Megumi laughs. [19:35:21] Something like that, yeah. [19:36:02] Well, whatever works for him. [19:36:36] * Megumi looks around at the farmer's market. "Man, I don't think he's gonna have anymore luck with getting cucumbers that don't suck." [19:37:05] I'm afraid so. They're still edible. Maybe not great for conniseurs, but they're still good. For now... I don't know what's happening. The weather's fine. We're putting in all the work we can. Maybe they're sick, but it's not any disease I know about. And believe me, I've been doing my research these past few weeks. [19:39:13] * Kentaro frowns. "That's too bad, I was hoping to get a friend of mine out of a rut. Well, good luck! [19:41:33] Thanks... if you want some baked goods, they're still decent. We can't use our own ingredients, but we've still got our own talent [19:43:09] * Kentaro nods. "Sure!" He picks out a small tart, and pulls a wad of cash out of his pocket and hands it over. [19:43:47] * The Owner nods, then counts it up and hands over the change. "Alright, thanks. Have a nice day." [19:44:12] You too! [19:45:08] * Kentaro walks away from the stand, wrapping the tart up and slipping it into his bag. [19:45:23] What do you think, Megumi? [19:46:14] About what? The vegetables? [19:46:37] Yeah. [19:47:52] I dunno. It's really weird, but hell, I dunno anything about farming. [19:49:18] * Kentaro nods. "I guess." [19:49:44] I wonder if there's something wrong with the- [19:49:53] * Kentaro shakes his head. "Nevermind." [19:49:58] * Kentaro heads towards the cafe [19:50:39] ...with what? C'mon, you did this before too! [19:52:05] * Kentaro smiles. "You'd just say it's dumb." [19:52:43] Well, maybe. [19:53:41] I wonder if there's something wrong with the field's kami. [19:54:53] * Megumi blinks. "You don't really strike me as a spiritual type." [19:57:11] * Kentaro shrugs. "I guess I'm just a suprising guy." [19:58:20] You really think it could be something like, well, that? [19:59:22] Well, if the plants aren't growing, but they're not sick, and the wether's alright... [19:59:54] I mean, I'm not an expert on plants *or* kami, but it makes sense to me [20:01:25] Huh. [20:02:08] * Megumi folds her arms, looking thoughtful. Or a vague approximation, at least. [20:03:26] * Kentaro nods, and opens his bag, pulling a brown apron with the Bean Around logo from it, and slipping it on over his shirt, tying it behind him. He makes for the cafe again [20:05:06] So, you work here, huh? [20:05:23] * Heading into the cafe, you find the inside to be clean with plenty of wood furniture. Around the center are some armchairs around low tables, and workers stand around doing their jobs. [20:05:44] * A smaller girl looks over at Kentaro. "Ah, niichan!" [20:06:01] * Kentaro nods. "My kid sister dragged me into it. She's sort of a pain, but I guess- Heeey, funsize! What's up!" [20:07:06] Not much... it's another slow day. [20:08:17] Awesome! [20:09:05] * Kentaro digs into his bag and pulls out the tart, passing it off to her. "I picked it up at the farmer's market for you. Don't get fat." He ducks into the backroom and tosses his bag, and then takes a position behind the counter. [20:09:29] Well, this store better be able to pay the bills... oh, thanks. Say, who are your friends? [20:10:40] * Kentaro gestures. "This is Megumi, that's Berny. I met them at school, and now they follow me to work." [20:10:52] Hey. [20:11:48] * She bows. "I'm Kikuko." [20:13:08] * Megumi doesn't return the bow, and looks a little uncomfortable, glancing around the store. [20:14:56] * Kentaro nods at Megumi. "Yeah, it's kind of stuck up a little, but it [20:15:13] 's better than getting your coffee at McDonald's, you know?" [20:15:40] Huh? Oh, yeah. [20:19:23] * Kikuko wears the store uniform. She's got short brown hair with light brown highlights. [20:21:28] So is there anything I can get for you? [20:23:14] I, uh. Er, I don't drink coffee. [20:25:39] Hot chocolate? Juice? I assure you, we'll do anything to get your money. [20:28:55] Uh, well...no, I, uh, think I'm okay. [20:38:28] I'm fine, too, but thank you. I didn't know Kentaro had a sister. [20:40:00] He never told you about me? [20:40:28] * Kentaro nods, smiling. "That's right!" [20:41:16] * Berny shakes her head. [20:42:15] Though, let's be fair, I've known you guys for two days and it really hasn't come up. [20:42:59] * Megumi shrugs. "S'not like we've talked about our families either." [20:43:44] I suppose that's true... [20:45:00] So, everyone, this is Kikuko. She's my kid sister, and she's a first-year at our school. I'm sure she thinks it's very nice to meet you. [20:45:10] * Kentaro glances meaningfully down on Kikuko. [20:45:16] * Kikuko bows [20:45:26] It's good to meet you all. [20:46:29] * Berny smiles. "Nice to meet you too, Kikuko." [20:47:08] Yeah, sure. [20:47:23] Say, Berny, what do you think about the vegetables? [20:47:41] They look pretty unhealthy. Don't know what's wrong with them, though. [20:48:59] * Kentaro nods. [20:49:29] I kind of wish we could find someone to talk to the kami of the field. [20:49:40] Are you talking about the farmer's market? [20:49:42] * Berny is quiet for a bit. She fidgets. [20:50:04] * Kentaro sighs, puts a hand against the cappucino machine to see if it's hot, then leans against it. "Yeah." [20:50:23] * Berny looks nervous. "Maybe we could, um...go take a look anyway!" [20:50:48] I guess I'd be up for it. [20:51:42] Sure, why not. [20:52:12] * Berny cracks a tentative smile. "Maybe we'll find something. Who knows?" [20:52:23] How bad is it? [20:52:33] Maybe tomorrow, though. I'd love to skip out of work, but I think Kiku-chan would probably hate me if I left her here to go play in the field." [20:52:41] * Berny nods. "Okay." [20:52:48] Pretty bad. The baked goods are just about the only thing that's edible. [20:53:05] * She frowns. [20:53:17] * Berny says to Kikuko, "Have you seen the cucumbers? Blech, you wouldn't want to touch them." [20:54:16] Afraid not. [20:55:49] All slimy and stuff. [20:56:19] That doesn't sound good [20:56:51] * Berny shakes her head. [20:57:00] But we'll go see the field tomorrow. You want to come? [21:02:14] Hm... I'll think about it. I'll let niichan know when I decide. [21:03:02] * Berny nods. "Okay." She thinks. "Are you in Megumi's class? Or Daisuke's?" [21:03:37] * Megumi shrugs. "Suit yerself." [21:03:43] I'm in class 1-3. [21:06:19] Yeah, same here. [21:07:02] Ah, same class, then. [21:08:10] Daisuke's in the same class. [21:10:15] * Berny nods. "I'm in class 3-3 with Kentaro and Kale...though Kale wasn't at school today. I hope he's okay." [21:11:09] * Megumi mumbles "Never really paid that much attention honestly." [21:14:33] * Kikuko nods. "By the way, since I've met you all, what are your families like?" [21:15:00] * Berny shrugs. "I'm an only child. My parents aren't here, though. I'm here on exchange." [21:15:40] Ugh. You really don't wanna know. [21:17:07] * Berny glances over at Megumi thoughtfully. "That bad?" [21:19:11] Pretty much. Should prob'ly hope you never meet 'em. [21:20:39] * Berny nods. "Oh. I'm sorry it was brought up." She pauses. "It's nothing serious that you need help with?" [21:21:39] It's not like that. Just...ugh. [21:21:45] * Megumi shudders slightly. [21:22:04] You alright? [21:24:38] * Megumi folds her arms, scowling angrily. "I'm _fine_." [21:25:06] * Berny nods wordlessly. [21:27:25] Alright, then. [21:27:37] Oh, we sell some snacks here if you would like. [21:31:01] ...I...guess that couldn't hurt. [21:31:36] * Berny fishes around in her bag and comes out with her wallet. "I'd like to buy some gummies and Pocky, if that's okay." [21:32:06] * She nods. "Those are fine. We have warm stuff too. Megu-san, would you like anything?" [21:35:22] * Megumi ponders. "You got muffins here? Nothing too sweet, maybe a bran or something." [21:35:44] Oh, yes. [21:40:10] I'll take one 'a those then. [21:40:24] * She quickly retrieves the snacks for you and takes payment. "Hope you like it." [21:41:31] Thank you. [21:41:47] * Berny takes the packaged snacks, considers them for a bit, then stows them away in her bag for later. [21:44:04] * Megumi munches on her muffin. [21:44:17] Thanks. [21:45:08] [And so there was much happy snacking.] [21:45:10] [Session End] End of #Youkai buffer Thu Mar 19 21:45:52 2009