[ Tie finally removed, Lapis will shove it into her skirt pocket - thank god for the future and giving skirts pockets - before there's a gentle chuckle. ]
If you did the asking, I wouldn't say no.
[ She'll just ignore how her cheeks are a little warmer too. But she gives him another soft smile, not hesitating to lead the way to the metro station. While she doesn't particularly mind what she's wearing, she still would like something different - and Jinwoo's outfit is a whole different kind of eye-catching. ]
Have you been able to explore outside the base much?
[ Off they go. As they leave the main base, Jinwoo lets out a brief laugh. ]
Good to know that I have a chance.
[ As long as people just stare and don't try to chat them up, it should be fine. Thankfully, that seems to be the case—maybe they just look too odd for people of Neo Tokyo. ]
Just a bit. I think I'm familiar with most of Shinjuku now.
[ Maybe his idea of exploring was... running around the area as fast as he could. ]
I've seen one mall in Shinjuku and one in Shibuya so far. The one in Shibuya is a bit bigger, but I think the one nearby will be enough for our needs. There are also 3 bakeries in the vicinity.
[ Lapis imagines how they look - which is incredibly sketchy, honestly - will be enough to deter the public. A girl in a school girl uniform and a guy dressed like a thug...
... They really need to find better clothes as soon as possible. But she can ignore any uncertain glances sent their way as she cants her head, humming under her breath. ]
You know a little more than me, then. [ Jinwoo just channelling Sonic right now -
Though Lapis is still having having issues adjusting to the Noise and Lights, so she's not been out that much. ]
I'll admit, I would like somewhere a little smaller too... Have you tried any of those bakeries yet? Ah, you need to tell me what kind of cakes you like too.
And it's fine she can deal with this... thirty minutes walk of shame. Conceal don't feel etc etc, though she's looking forward to not looking incredibly suspect.
And there's a hum of agreement, when Jinwoo calls this place strange. Seeing the devastation, but life still thriving around it... Her mind drifts to the looming threat in her own home, and she dearly hopes what LILTIH said about her still being 'there but also here' is true. ]
It is, but... It's kinda nice to see, that the people are doing their best. They still keep going, despite the attacks.
Though the lights and the ads flashing across my eyes will take some getting used to.
[ She closes her eyes briefly as if that will block it all out, face scrunching for a brief moment. She's used to working in creepy, dark places!! This is too bright for a cryptid hermit!!!
Also what is that answer Jinwoo. When her eyes open again, she fixes him with a flat look. ]
If you say something like that, I'm going to end up making a cake with a weird flavour one day.
[ Jinwoo can't help going back to what LILITH said about parts of their consciousness being transferred here—it seems to be the truth unless the organization went as far as fabricating the footage.
Does that mean he can try getting stronger here and back home at once? And if they could copy his abilities, could LILITH copy them again when he reaches level 100? Or maybe even a higher one...
Lapis' words make him snap out of his power fantasy rather fast. ]
Monsters or no monsters, life goes on. [ He lets out a soft sigh. ] Maybe we should get you sunglasses too?
[ Jinwoo takes her hand without thinking much. If she's sensitive to all the neon lights, he wants to help out. ]
Close your eyes and I'll guide you.
[ The comment about the weird flavored cake makes him chuckle, though. ]
[ Jinwoo please calm down with your power level lust - ]
Sunglasses? I don't think I would suit those.
[ Lapis had been prepared to just bare with it, blinking a few times when the light got a bit much, so when he takes her hand she can't help but tense in shock. It's very unfamiliar feeling, and she takes a moment to glance between their now joined hands and the man himself.
But then she sighs, letting her eyes close as she follows along. At least she can sense his presence, so that makes this a little easier. ]
Ah... alright. I'll be trusting you then. [ Lapis lets her fingers wrap around his hand in return, a small chuckle of her own following. ]
Are you sure? I know there's a lot of whale meat at the base, I could get creative with it.
Oh, so you want me to guide you everywhere? I see.
[ If Jinwoo has learned anything during his short stay in Neo Tokyo it must be that teasing Lapis will backfire sooner or later. Is possessing that knowledge enough to deter Jinwoo from doing it? Of course not.
He starts walking a little bit slower, making sure that he matches Lapis' pace. Guiding isn't about tugging someone around, after all. ]
[ Don't worry Jinwoo they'll get you actual sexp eventually. ]
Ah, my plan to find an excuse to keep holding your hand has been revealed.
[ And she punctuates her words with a squeeze of her fingers around his hand, warm and gentle. Maybe there's part of her that is genuinely enjoying this, but that's also something she shoves all the way to the back for now.
And Lapis notices how he walks slower, lips twitching into a brighter smile. Before she heaves out a sigh, already imagining how that... creation would look. ]
If I make it, I'm going to ask you to eat it. You can't waste food.
[ That squeeze reminds him that it's pretty much the first time he's holding a woman's hand. He's lucky that Lapis' eyes remain closed because the bright red blush that spreads across his cheeks can put ripe tomatoes to shame. ]
I fell for it.
[ He sounds more amused than anything while saying it. ]
[ They really need more attention on the, though. ]
I'll definitely need help with that cake.
[ He's dropped by the cafeteria and honestly he doesn't have much to say about the menu save for the fact that it's... unique. His hunch is telling him that the staff would be overjoyed if someone took some of that meat off their hands. ]
We're almost here. [ The entrance to the mall is just a few steps away. ] The lights aren't so harsh inside, so...
[ They probably don't have to hold hands anymore, sad. ]
[ Jinwoo you still look like a very questionable thug. Let's not add strange noises on top of that. ]
Alright, alright. I know what I'll be working on later then.
[ She'll need to think of what else to add to it... What works well with whale meat?? That will be her culinary adventure later. At least using up some of the meat means there will be less on the menu later...
There's a hum in response when he lets her know they're nearly at the mall, which does mean letting go of his hand. There's a fleeting pang of disappointment, but her hand gives his one last squeeze before she loosens her grip. ]
I guess I'll need to find another excuse. [ A pause, before her tone softens to something more genuine. ] But thank you, for helping me.
[ Whale cake for a month... None of them deserve that.
And there's a quiet, soft huff at his words; an eye finally fluttering open to glance over at him. ]
I'll get used to it eventually. I'm pretty nocturnal, so I'm more used to the dark and grim... But it sounds like you don't mind holding my hand again.
[ Do they deserve whale meat, though... LILITH has no issues with it. ]
Don't go alone at night, though.
[ Otherwise, he'll have to attach Iron to her shadow. ]
Um, well... [ While Jinwoo doesn't mind doing that, the way Lapis says it is more than enough to make him blush. Just in time for her to open her eyes, too. ] I mean if you need a hand... then it can be my hand.
[ This is not the first sketchy area Lapis' walked around at night, and it will not be the last.
And while she had been teasing him a little, she wasn't expecting to see him blush like that. Or actually... offer his hand? There's a moment where Lapis simply blinks at him, but she thinks she gets what he means. ]
Then I'll make sure to ask you to guide me, next time I need it. [ There's another brief smile, before she finally takes in the stores around them as they step into the mall. ]
So, new clothes first. I think your outfit is still getting some glances...
[ Jinwoo nods with a smile and makes a mental note to make Iron enter Lapis' shadow sometime soon, maybe even today. He's pretty sure she can deal with the thugs alone, but it shouldn't hurt. ]
I can't believe a schoolgirl is telling me this.
[ He's been acting fairly normally so far, yet it doesn't mean Jinwoo isn't going through it right now. ]
This shop looks good. I can't wait to get a plain T-shirt and a pair of jeans, honestly.
[ All Jinwoo has done is guarantee Iron gets adopted.
And that gets a laugh, shoulders shaking slightly before she grins wryly at him. ]
My outfit is a little less suspect than your very pink outfit. And lack of shirt.
[ While he sure had a reaction earlier, she's assuming that the novelty of it has worn off. He seems to be better at handling her in this outfit now, anyway. ]
Hmm... I usually like dressing up, but at this point something plain would be good. No more odd uniforms.
[ When she says 'no more odd uniforms' that's precisely when Jinwoo's brain serves him an image of Lapis in a plugsuit. A bright red blush spreads across his cheeks in no time. ]
No more odd uniforms... for now.
[ Says a guy wearing a pink blazer and no shirt. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ At least they should be able to walk around in peace once they acquire some real clothes. What she said about the next attempt, though...
Jinwoo scoffs a laugh, his cheeks feeling a bit warmer than before. ]
The third time's a charm. Or maybe I should do the asking.
no subject
[ Tie finally removed, Lapis will shove it into her skirt pocket - thank god for the future and giving skirts pockets - before there's a gentle chuckle. ]
If you did the asking, I wouldn't say no.
[ She'll just ignore how her cheeks are a little warmer too. But she gives him another soft smile, not hesitating to lead the way to the metro station. While she doesn't particularly mind what she's wearing, she still would like something different - and Jinwoo's outfit is a whole different kind of eye-catching. ]
Have you been able to explore outside the base much?
no subject
Good to know that I have a chance.
[ As long as people just stare and don't try to chat them up, it should be fine. Thankfully, that seems to be the case—maybe they just look too odd for people of Neo Tokyo. ]
Just a bit. I think I'm familiar with most of Shinjuku now.
[ Maybe his idea of exploring was... running around the area as fast as he could. ]
I've seen one mall in Shinjuku and one in Shibuya so far. The one in Shibuya is a bit bigger, but I think the one nearby will be enough for our needs. There are also 3 bakeries in the vicinity.
no subject
... They really need to find better clothes as soon as possible. But she can ignore any uncertain glances sent their way as she cants her head, humming under her breath. ]
You know a little more than me, then. [ Jinwoo just channelling Sonic right now -
Though Lapis is still having having issues adjusting to the Noise and Lights, so she's not been out that much. ]
I'll admit, I would like somewhere a little smaller too... Have you tried any of those bakeries yet? Ah, you need to tell me what kind of cakes you like too.
no subject
Then we don't have to go too far. It's a ten-minute walk from here.
[ Which means ten more minutes of this walk of shame and maybe an additional twenty o thirty more before they find clothes that fit them. ]
Just figured out that it might be a good idea to scout the area, that's all... this place is so strange, though.
[ Even now, they happen to be passing a convenience store and a devastated building next to it. ]
I'll be fine with any cake, really.
[ Sorry, no easy mode with this guy. ]
no subject
And it's fine she can deal with this... thirty minutes walk of shame. Conceal don't feel etc etc, though she's looking forward to not looking incredibly suspect.
And there's a hum of agreement, when Jinwoo calls this place strange. Seeing the devastation, but life still thriving around it... Her mind drifts to the looming threat in her own home, and she dearly hopes what LILTIH said about her still being 'there but also here' is true. ]
It is, but... It's kinda nice to see, that the people are doing their best. They still keep going, despite the attacks.
Though the lights and the ads flashing across my eyes will take some getting used to.
[ She closes her eyes briefly as if that will block it all out, face scrunching for a brief moment. She's used to working in creepy, dark places!! This is too bright for a cryptid hermit!!!
Also what is that answer Jinwoo. When her eyes open again, she fixes him with a flat look. ]
If you say something like that, I'm going to end up making a cake with a weird flavour one day.
no subject
Does that mean he can try getting stronger here and back home at once? And if they could copy his abilities, could LILITH copy them again when he reaches level 100? Or maybe even a higher one...
Lapis' words make him snap out of his power fantasy rather fast. ]
Monsters or no monsters, life goes on. [ He lets out a soft sigh. ] Maybe we should get you sunglasses too?
[ Jinwoo takes her hand without thinking much. If she's sensitive to all the neon lights, he wants to help out. ]
Close your eyes and I'll guide you.
[ The comment about the weird flavored cake makes him chuckle, though. ]
It's fine, I'll eat it.
no subject
Sunglasses? I don't think I would suit those.
[ Lapis had been prepared to just bare with it, blinking a few times when the light got a bit much, so when he takes her hand she can't help but tense in shock. It's very unfamiliar feeling, and she takes a moment to glance between their now joined hands and the man himself.
But then she sighs, letting her eyes close as she follows along. At least she can sense his presence, so that makes this a little easier. ]
Ah... alright. I'll be trusting you then. [ Lapis lets her fingers wrap around his hand in return, a small chuckle of her own following. ]
Are you sure? I know there's a lot of whale meat at the base, I could get creative with it.
no subject
Oh, so you want me to guide you everywhere? I see.
[ If Jinwoo has learned anything during his short stay in Neo Tokyo it must be that teasing Lapis will backfire sooner or later. Is possessing that knowledge enough to deter Jinwoo from doing it? Of course not.
He starts walking a little bit slower, making sure that he matches Lapis' pace. Guiding isn't about tugging someone around, after all. ]
Whale meat cake... I kind of want to see it now.
no subject
Ah, my plan to find an excuse to keep holding your hand has been revealed.
[ And she punctuates her words with a squeeze of her fingers around his hand, warm and gentle. Maybe there's part of her that is genuinely enjoying this, but that's also something she shoves all the way to the back for now.
And Lapis notices how he walks slower, lips twitching into a brighter smile. Before she heaves out a sigh, already imagining how that... creation would look. ]
If I make it, I'm going to ask you to eat it. You can't waste food.
no subject
I fell for it.
[ He sounds more amused than anything while saying it. ]
Are you going to eat it with me?
no subject
You don't sound upset about that.
[ And, ugh... Does she want to commit to the bit -
- Of course she does. ]
If it's a gift for you, I shouldn't eat it.
no subject
[ He tries to sound more upset, but he might not sound too convincing even with that dramatic gasp. ]
I'll be eating that cake for days, then.
no subject
A little better.
[ And she simply hums in response, before she relents with a quiet sigh. ]
Well if you really don't want to eat cake for days, I could help.
no subject
[ They really need more attention on the, though. ]
I'll definitely need help with that cake.
[ He's dropped by the cafeteria and honestly he doesn't have much to say about the menu save for the fact that it's... unique. His hunch is telling him that the staff would be overjoyed if someone took some of that meat off their hands. ]
We're almost here. [ The entrance to the mall is just a few steps away. ] The lights aren't so harsh inside, so...
[ They probably don't have to hold hands anymore, sad. ]
no subject
[ Jinwoo you still look like a very questionable thug. Let's not add strange noises on top of that. ]
Alright, alright. I know what I'll be working on later then.
[ She'll need to think of what else to add to it... What works well with whale meat?? That will be her culinary adventure later. At least using up some of the meat means there will be less on the menu later...
There's a hum in response when he lets her know they're nearly at the mall, which does mean letting go of his hand. There's a fleeting pang of disappointment, but her hand gives his one last squeeze before she loosens her grip. ]
I guess I'll need to find another excuse. [ A pause, before her tone softens to something more genuine. ] But thank you, for helping me.
no subject
[ On the other hand, it might mean whale cake on the cafeteria menu for months. There's no winning here.
That light squeeze just before Lapis withdraws her hand catches him off guard. Actually, it's no different from what she says next. ]
Maybe next time we should go to a more crowded mall. If you can't stand neons, I don't have good news for you...
no subject
[ Whale cake for a month... None of them deserve that.
And there's a quiet, soft huff at his words; an eye finally fluttering open to glance over at him. ]
I'll get used to it eventually. I'm pretty nocturnal, so I'm more used to the dark and grim... But it sounds like you don't mind holding my hand again.
no subject
Don't go alone at night, though.
[ Otherwise, he'll have to attach Iron to her shadow. ]
Um, well... [ While Jinwoo doesn't mind doing that, the way Lapis says it is more than enough to make him blush. Just in time for her to open her eyes, too. ] I mean if you need a hand... then it can be my hand.
[ What is he trying to even say here. ]
no subject
I'll be fine, I've walked around worse.
[ This is not the first sketchy area Lapis' walked around at night, and it will not be the last.
And while she had been teasing him a little, she wasn't expecting to see him blush like that. Or actually... offer his hand? There's a moment where Lapis simply blinks at him, but she thinks she gets what he means. ]
Then I'll make sure to ask you to guide me, next time I need it. [ There's another brief smile, before she finally takes in the stores around them as they step into the mall. ]
So, new clothes first. I think your outfit is still getting some glances...
no subject
I can't believe a schoolgirl is telling me this.
[ He's been acting fairly normally so far, yet it doesn't mean Jinwoo isn't going through it right now. ]
This shop looks good. I can't wait to get a plain T-shirt and a pair of jeans, honestly.
no subject
And that gets a laugh, shoulders shaking slightly before she grins wryly at him. ]
My outfit is a little less suspect than your very pink outfit. And lack of shirt.
[ While he sure had a reaction earlier, she's assuming that the novelty of it has worn off. He seems to be better at handling her in this outfit now, anyway. ]
Hmm... I usually like dressing up, but at this point something plain would be good. No more odd uniforms.
no subject
No more odd uniforms... for now.
[ Says a guy wearing a pink blazer and no shirt. ]
no subject
You're thinking about something weird, aren't you.
no subject
[ He just... takes her hand again and tugs Lapis along in the direction of the shop he pointed out earlier. ]
Should we split up?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)