synflux | ( closed ) here we are now, entertain us

[ Of course when there was a chance to look around at all the trees blooming in the city, Lapis would immediately take it. They were beautiful, incredibly so, and so she had little issue with helping out in tracking the rate of blooms around the city. It was a good opportunity to see more of the place too, and then there was a chance to relax after.

Though the thought of eating whale meat cake while surrounded by beautiful flowers... Well, she's commited to the bit by making the thing and now she's here with Jinwoo; at least doing this with someone she knows and rather likes makes this much better. Despite the culinary disaster waiting for them afterwards. However she did not expect two things:

1. For Jinwoo to just literally zoom from spot to spot. Any attempts to rush through the forms got him an (gentle) elbow in the sternum though.
2. For Jinwoo to actually carry her, in his arms, the entire time. At least now the embarrassment has worn off.

Now it's the quest to find a good spot to actually enjoy the season, which she is again leaving to Jinwoo and his zoomies. When he comes to a stop at some point, she takes a few moments to blink and re-orientate herself; hand holding into his shirt to keep herself steady. ]

... Found a good spot yet?

[ When Lapis is airdropped the chocolates and told to give them out for White Day, she can only be quietly confused - even when the brief is sent to her implant. She wasn't given many boxes, but... Surely she can do something better than just hand these out to people, right? It feels a little insensitive to just shove these onto people to avoid a punishment, but she. Also doesn't want to be on cleaning duty.

...

Her mind drifts to a certain gift given to her a few days ago, and she gets to work. Sometime later in the afternoon, Jinwoo is sent a message by @ luna ]

are you free at the moment

if you aren't make yourself free, i have something to give you! \(￣︶￣*\))

[ Jinwoo and his zoomies is a sentence that will stay with me for a long time if not forever. Sure, they could have walked from one spot to another, but that wouldn't give them much time to relax after finishing the task. After reporting the coordinates of the last spot for today, he dashes to a spot he's noticed but never let the Neo Tokyo Meteorological Agency staff know about it.

When he stops, they're in an alley with cherry blossom trees growing on both sides. It seems that other people either don't know about this place or avoid it for some reason. Jinwoo really hopes it's the former, though. While he doesn't answer right away, he carefully puts Lapis down. ]

Yeah. Do you like it?

[ There's a reason why he chose such a secluded place, but he doesn't bring that up yet. ]

Before I answer, one quick question.
Is it whale meat related?

[ Since he finished his daily workout a few minutes ago, Jinwoo replies from... the shower, no less. ]

It's really convenient that you can take a shower and text someone.

[ Now whenever you see him move fast in the anime, you'll always think of Jinwoo's zoomies-

Though once he comes to a stop and sets Lapis down, she takes her first proper look - her eyes widening as she takes in the sight of the alley. With the trees blooming on both sides, it really is a beautiful sight... One she's surprised isn't being admired by others. ]

It's lovely... How did you find this?

[ She's going to assume during a run around the city, but she's very pleased with his find either way. It's nice that it's secluded too, crowds can still be a little much for her at times, so she's absolutely going to make the most of this. ]

i swear it's not whale meat related. it is food related but i promise its

[ "It's really convenient that you can take a shower and text someone."

...

W h a t. ]

good wow that is really convenient huh

you know you could

have waited

[ He's in the shower right now?!? ]

You promise it's... ?

[ When Lapis' message gets cut off all of a sudden, Jinwoo starts wondering if using the ocular in the shower is a good idea. ]

I thought it stopped working for a while.
If I messaged you first, you'd reply right away, right?
Even if you were taking a shower.

[ That... will sink in, eventually. ]

By accident. I noticed it when we were running around.

[ Well, for the most part, Jinwoo was doing the running, but it's a detail he doesn't want to dwell on. ]

I'm surprised that a place like this exists in this city.

[ People aside, there are no neon lights in sight either. It doesn't quite look like an alley in Seoul, but it doesn't seem as foreign as the busy streets of Neo Tokyo either. Maybe the cherry blossom trees make him feel a little homesick. ]

Would you mind if Igris, Iron, and Tank joined us? [ A pause. ] Oh, you haven't met Tank yet.

[ Lapis is just going to... try very hard not to think any deeper on this. It's fine, this is so fine. ]

thats right but [ Wait so he would always reply to her right away? Actually no wait, focus Lapis - ]

okay lets consider if i was in the shower right now

how would you react

[ With the lack of neon lights, it makes it much more... comforting. Soothing, in a way - while the rest of the trees were beautiful, it feels like she could properly relax here. Eventually she'll get used to the lights, but this is a nice break from it. ]

Well, I'm glad it does. Hopefully it can stay secluded for a while longer.

[ Is it selfish to think that? Probably, but she'll make the most of this while it lasts. ]

I wouldn't mind at all. Maybe I can summon some of mine, Sylvia would love this... [ Tank? That's a name she hasn't heard, and it gets her to perk up. ]

And I would love to meet Tank.

[ Listen, his int might leave a lot to be desired at times but he can recognize a LOADED QUESTION when he's asked one. ]

I wouldn't be able to see you, though??
You can't see me right now, right???

You could tell me about her. And... your other summons.

[ Guys, is it weird to ask a girl you like about her summons on a hanami date? ]

I think it'll stay secluded once everyone is gathered.

[ When Igris and Iron emerge from his shadow, they're quiet... contrary to Tank, who announces his arrival with a loud roar. If there were any people nearby, they must have escaped. ]

Ah, he's probably mad. I didn't let him out in a while.

[ Probably... ]

no i can't see you!!

but can you really tell me you wouldn't be a little embarrassed if our situations were reversed??

[ Just going to. Drag her hands over her face. ]

anyway

anyway

i have something to give you when you're out of the shower and clothed

So long as you tell me about yours in return.

[ Maybe a little, but gotta get the approval of the closest friends first -

But Lapis perks up when the soldiers appear, blinking a few times as Tank very loudly announces his arrival. Though beyond the brief surprise, Lapis only smiles gently as she approaches the bear - at least now they can be absolutely certain the place is secluded. ]

Well, it's good he has a chance to stretch his legs now. [ And then back to Tank; ] And it's nice to meet you, Tank.

[ Ah, she should bring her summons out too. Two spirits of young women appear at her side, followed by the hellhound - who simply huffs and flops on the ground, content to make the most of the quiet. ]

If I saw you...
I would take you out for a dinner??

[ I can't argue with the canon, sorry :/ ]

I'm almost done, I'll be there in 10 minutes.

[ And, in fact, he knocks at Lapis' doors around ten minutes later. ]

[ Jinwoo's eyes open wide when he gets to observe Tank act like a cat rather than a bear—one of his shadows sure did headbutt Lapis for pets. ]

Tank was always needy, but this is a whole new level...

[ Tank huffs quietly in response. He was just introducing himself, that's all. Jinwoo's gaze shifts to the spirits. He's not sure how to greet them, so hopefully a simple wave will do. ]

Igris used to be a dungeon boss, Iron... [ There's a pause. ] He used to be a fellow hunter and Tank was one of the monsters I had encountered in a dungeon.

[ Lore drop complete... so informative. ]

dinner???

i mean i wouldn't say no but i wasn't expecting that

[ Always love his leaps in logic. His int stat at it's finest.

But 10 minutes? Alrighty she can be ready in that time. ]

okay see you soon

[ And there he is, exactly ten minutes later. The door slides open, and there stands Lapis; a sweet-smelling box balanced in one hand. ]

Afternoon, Jinwoo. [ And now the box is being held out to him, the contents holding one white chocolate cake. No whale meat this time. ] Here, this is for you. Happy White Day.

[ Is she doing this right? Probably not, but whatever. ]

[ Tank asked for pets, and so pets he shall receive - a hand brushing through his fur as she gives the giant bear some attention. ]

I'm glad he seems to like me.

[ The wave is received well, at least, the eldest-looking of the two waving back while the smaller spirit simply nods her head. And Lapis pauses in her petting to listen to Jinwoo's explanation, humming a little under her breath. Very informative. ]

Dungeon... Like, the kind you see in video games? [ Not like... an actual dungeon right? But she'll motion her head to her own summons, who are now more interested in the blossoms. ]

The two spirits are Sylvia and Cassie. Cassie can be a bit of a problem child, but she's fine as long as you don't make her mad... Sylvia is much shyer, I've know her since I was little.

[ And then pointing a finger at the hellhound; ]

That's Louis, not his real name. He's been with me since I was about... fifteen or so? So ten years now. He's pretty grumpy, but he'll warm up to you eventually.

Hi, Lapis... oh.

[ When he receives the box almost right away, Jinwoo's gaze shifts from the gift to Lapis and back to the gift again. Opening the box isn't necessary—he can already tell it smells nice. ]

Whale meat season is over? [ Jinwoo smirks and peeks inside. ] Thanks. Let's eat.

Officially over. That's my culinary adventures with whale meat done.

[ And hopefully this will make up for putting him through that fun adventure.

Though then she blinks, surprise flickering across her expression for a moment. ]

Oh, um... Y-you don't have to share it or anything. I made it for you.

I've told you that I can't eat a whole cake.

[ Maybe he could if he tried really hard but what's the point? ]

I had no idea that White Day would still be a thing, so I'm unprepared.

[ Maybe hanami was a hint. ]

I should be giving you a gift today instead, you know?

What you don't eat will keep till later... But alright, if you're sure.

[ Since she included disposable utensils that she ~~yoinked~~ "borrowed" from the cafeteria in the box, she'll motion for him to come into her room. They can eat in peace there, at least. ]

Honestly, I didn't even know it was a thing... But I figured I could do something better with those chocolates than force them onto strangers.

[ While it's technically team building and bonding, it still felt a bit insensitive. And she still felt a little awkward approaching most people... ]

... Huh, really? Well, you've already given me something, so we can twist the rules a little.

It'll just taste better if we eat it together.

[ While Jinwoo doesn't want to dump his tragic backstory on a person he's only met recently, letting Lapis know that much should be fine. Hopefully, the part of him that stayed behind in his world is treating Jinah to some fried chicken every now and then. ]

It's mostly a couples thing anyway.

[ Didn't he just mention that he should be the one giving Lapis a gift—ahem. ]

LILITH doesn't seem to be fond of people who bend the rules. But that won't stop us, will it?

[ Jinwoo might mean something more significant than swapping the roles for the White Day. ]

[ Jinwoo's shadow soldiers might listen to him without any issues but their affinity for Lapis is... interesting, to say the least. At the same time, maybe he understands it, more or less—her presence really is soothing. Not to mention it's a huge relief that he doesn't have to hide their existence.

Even if people from numerous different worlds were asked to join LILITH's cause, Jinwoo still would rather avoid being called a monster. ]

Yeah, something like that. I'm glad you don't have to worry about them, though.

[ On the other hand, there's no guarantee that Lapis' world is peaceful. Jinwoo realizes that he'd like to hear more about it. ]

I'm really good at annoying my little sister, but I'll try to behave.

[ He offers both Sylvia and Cassie an awkward smile. Maybe he'd try to pet Louis too, but Jinwoo's hunch is telling him that the hellhound wouldn't appreciate that. ]

Ten years... [ That's quite a while. ] What were you up to back in your world?

( closed ) here we are now, entertain us

MARCH

💀 Jinwoo | Hanami

💀 Jinwoo | White Day

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