pawnstorm | (OPEN) HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO HIM

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(OPEN) HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO HIM - HE'S MADE HIS MISTAKES

Who: Souji Seta (

tarotcards) and anyone
When: Early July - Post Intro
Where: Cassia - Kabe Market
What: It all started with a very unfortunate event. Now Souji has to wander into the depths of Cassia's Secret to buy a new pair of panties for someone...
Rating: PG? Really, just mentions of undergardments so nothing serious

000 - THE BACKGROUND

[ Really, Souji doesn't know how he managed to get himself into this kind of situation. He was just a normal high school student, doing normal high school student things like jumping into TVs, hearing weird voices in his head, and being able to summon Lucifer to help him in battle. Really, the mundane things. Things that he can handle. Even when he's sent into a brand new world and is forced to fight in some war, he gets by decently enough, but now... Now... ]

[ Now Souji finds himself standing just outside of Cassia's Secret, this world's version of a fancy women's lingerie store (what's its secret? That it's a Victoria's Secret rip-off??). He certainly doesn't really want to be here but he doesn't have much choice. If you rip a girl's fancy looking underwear, then you have to replace it, or at least pay her back. That's literally just how it goes. You can't do anything otherwise... So, here he is, doing any of the following options: ]

001 - WHAT ARE YOU STARING AT, FUCKER

[ Souji knows what he has to do, but he finds himself a little... stuck. He can't seem to find himself walking inside the store. It's a little intimidating, perhaps, but the problem is that standing outside and staring into the store is rather, uh, creepy looking. He kind of realizes this so that's why he's trying to brace himself to go inside and quickly get to it, but that might take a minute or so... ]

[ Come and give him that extra push or stare with him. He can use the company (no he can't). ]

002 - SQUISHY SQUISHY

[ Souji has somehow found himself walking in (after a minute or two of saying yeah, he can do this), but now he's stuck again. He came in here to actually buy a gift card instead of a pair of panties ("There's no way I'd wear underwear someone else bought for me!" the culprit screamed), but he doesn't really know how much to put on the card. What if he puts too little on it and the suspect in question can't actually buy herself a new pair? He can always put more on it, but what if even that's too little? With something as delicate as this, when he needs to fix this before it gets worse, he can't take any chances. ]

[ So that means he has to venture in and actually look at the prices of each type of underwear... he has to find the one that he ripped so he knows the exact same price, but the problem is that... when they kind of toss everything into drawers or into piles, he has to go looking through them and, oh goddammit, he's going to look like a complete pervert at the end of this. Why is this happening to him?? ]

003 - PLEASE KEEP IT DOWN

[ Souji gives up. He just gives up. He's been through dungeons. He's been tossed around like a rag doll. He's been through bleeding through his own clothes and has nearly come close to death a number of times, but this? No, he gives up. He can't take this anymore. It's getting him enough awkward and bad stares that he'd rather actually take his chances and put a large amount of money onto the gift card and hope for the best. ]

[ Of course, things don't go that easily for him, though. ]

"5000 colle? That's quite generous!"

[ Cue the really overtalkative and loud cashier. ]

"Someone's quite lucky! And I bet you will be tonight as well."

"Aw, don't be shy. It's okay to admit it!"

[ Oh my god, how do you get this person to stop talking?? Come catch him after listening to this terrible conversation or, better yet, if you have the misfortune of walking up to him because you want to talk to him, say hello, whatever the reason is, but you are now involved... ]

"Oh! Is this 'that' person?"

004 - SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY (CLOSED TO MAKI NISHIKINO)

[ So after all that... nonsense, Maki's Carrier will suddenly spit out a rather plain looking envelope. All it has is 'Nishikino-san' written in perfect penmanship on the front, and the name 'Mewoji' on the back. Once she opens it, she'll find a fancy looking gift card envelope from Cassia's Secret (loaded with 5000 colle...), another gift card to some... pet store? (loaded with 1500 colle) , and a handwritten letter. ]

Nishikino-san,

I wanted to deeply apologize for what happened yesterday. I truly didn't mean for anything like that to happen. I understand that you told me to forget about it, but I want to repay you, so I hope this gift card will be enough. I've also left something for your Carrier.

I am sorry once again.

- Souji Seta

005 - WILD CARD, BITCHES

[ Maybe Souji's being chewed out by some stick in the mud. Maybe he's over at CarrierSmart and buying that giftcard for Maki's Carrier while also looking for stuff for Cream-san as well. Maybe he's looking at an empty store lot. Who even knows. Come do whatever with him. ]

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[Look here's the thing; Yukari likes cute clothes.

Yukari likes nice underwear, too. Who doesn't like to coordinate, have something cute, something practical... and occasionally something to wear just to make yourself feel more attractive even if no one will see it.

... Yukari also has a boyfriend, but she's not really shopping for that inevitability at the moment, she's really just looking for something cute to go with the clothes she bought anyway, and colorful for summer! ... Not that anyone's going to be seeing it, but whatever.]

5000 colle!

[That's... that's a lot. The overly loud cashier's exclamation grabs Yukari's attention as she's gazing at a wall of bras.

What she's not expecting is for there to be 1) a guy there, 2) a guy she knows there, and 3) ... a guy she knows there buying apparently 5000 colle worth of women's underwear.

This warrants investigation.]

Oh, is this that person?

[Yukari frowns up at the cashier. Luckily, there is not a pile worth 5000 colle in underwear sitting on the counter, just a little plastic gift card.

Unluckily, Yukari just got pegged for his girlfriend!

.... Maybe in another lifetime, boyo.]

W-what? What are you talking about?

[ Souji doesn't even notice Yukari walking up behind him to the cash register because he's far too focused on trying to figure out how to make this cashier quiet down. He really doesn't need her to start yelling every single bit of his shameful purchase, but it's too late... Someone has already heard and they're now being accused of being this "lucky person". ]

[ He turns his head to see who this is and-- Yukari??? Why??????? ]

N-No, she's no--

"Ahhhh, you're so lucky. I wish my husband would something like this for me! I say, young love is always best when it's young!"

[N-no she's not- is right, and Yukari backs up a little as the accusation falls.

.... Oh god the cashier thinks they're dating.

Oh god this is terrible.]

W-what are you talking about? I have a boyfriend, and this guy is so not it. [Wait, Yukari, why'd you make it sound like he's not good enough...]

[ Why did you have to approach the cash register, Yukari? Just why? But also, well, she could have worded that better... Ouch. Way to hurt Souji like that. ]

"Oh! So then a secret love affair! I see. Well, don't you worry. I'll have my mouth shut about that."

[ And the cashier winks. Oh god no ]

[That

That's bad

oh that's so bad.] W-what!? No! I am not cheating on him, who the hell do you think I am!? [... Her mother?

Yeah, that's what happens every time something like this comes up.] UGH, this is... what are you even doing here, get your damn card and let's just go! [... Actually... Making Things Worse For Herself Yukari Takeba]

[ Why is it that whenever these two are spending time with each other, it ends up in a mess? Like what's the deal with that? Souji doesn't want to really suffer the wrath of Yukari's anger too... but he does exactly that, taking the card and receipt, immediately walking out, but not without one last comment from the cashier. ]

"Have fun!

[ .......... goddammit ]

... I'm terribly sorry.

[Have...

No she is no-

Whatever. She sighs - the harshest and most exasperated sigh - and then straightens up.]

Don't worry about it.

[Somehow, she's not really angry at him, and the tense of her shoulders relaxes.] ... What were you even doing in there?

[ It's a miracle... Yukari's not angry?? At him?? What has he done to deserve this?? But no, he's relieved that she doesn't take it out on him. He doesn't want to reverse this social link all over again. ]

... I had to buy a gift card.

[ no duh ]

[She quirks an eyebrow, and he's sort of lucky she doesn't roll her eyes at him.] I can see that... actually, you know what? I don't even want to know. What you do with your girlfriend, or whatever, is your own business. Sorry the cashier was so loud... I probably didn't make it any better.

[ He... should correct her, that he doesn't have a girlfriend or whatever, but he doesn't exactly want to go into details about the whole reason why he was in the store in the first place, so he'll just let her think whatever she wants... That makes it easier for everyone (and hopefully will keep Maki's identity safe). ]

No, I should apologize that you've got dragged into that. She said things that she shouldn't have.

[ Specifically the affair part... That's just rude. ]

[And why does he not have a girlfriend? He has some catching up to do if he wants to be anything like senpai.]

Ugh, it wouldn't've grabbed my attention if she wasn't talking too loud anyway. Confirming your order's one thing, but not to the rest of the store. Besides, how many guys just walk into a women's underwear store. Ya figure they probably want it discreet... hell, I want it discreet, and I have a good reason to shop there. [Grouse grouse grouse]

Um... not like that, though. Don't even think of saying anything. [Touchy? Maybe, but between that conversation and the fact she's sort of used to Minato needling her sometimes makes a volatile combination.]

[ It's been a few days, and while Maki enjoyed the ball there's been something bugging her, something that she hasn't been able to stop fretting about whenever she found herself not thinking about anything else.

The look on Souji's face as he tried to apologize, tried to make it right with her. Sure, the idea of having someone else buying new underwear for her is still something she will never ever accept, but it was really the thought that mattered more than anything else. So in the end, as upset as she had been, she had started to slowly come to realize that maybe, just maybe... she had been the one to overreact there. Which made her need to apologize.

Of course, this was all before she even got the letter and the gift cards (two of them even!) which made her stomach just tighten up into an uncomfortable ball. She couldn't really accept this. She had to say something.

Which is how she found herself outside of his room (why did the maid's all huddle up and giggle after she asked for the number?) knocking lightly, trying to calm her nerves. ]

S-Seta-kun? Are you there? It's Nishkino Maki...

[ Though should he try to open the door, he'll find that he can't, as if there's some kind of force stopping him. ]

[ For someone like Souji, who wants to make sure things go right and other people are happy, that incident just didn't sit well with him. He knows that it's a really embarrassing event and, truth be told, even he wants to forget about it, but he knows that he can't. He really had to do something about it. Even if she doesn't really forgive him for it, he has to at least apologize properly and hope for the best, hence the gift cards. Whether it will work or not, he doesn't know, but having Maki approach him first is a good sign that something is happening. ]

Nishkino-san?

[ He gets up from his bed (putting down the toy he was using to entertain Cream-san) and walks over to the door. ]

I'm here.

[ Of course, the first thing that he does is to open the door so he could possibly ask if she wants to come in or anything like that, but it's... blocked? Huh? There wasn't any problem before. He tries to open it a few times, but nothing too forcefully or hard. More out of curiosity like ??? ]

[ What Souji would find is that the door wouldn't open because of a Barrier. A King's barrier that blocked "doors" from moving through it. And that meant in the small area between her and Souji a door couldn't move. That didn't stop Maki from freaking out just a little, grabbing the doorknob on her side as she sees it spin, desperately clinging to it so that no matter what he can't open it. ]

D-Don't open it!!

[ No, she needs the distance between them, happy that it's there. Of course she could have just done this over the network but... somehow this is better. ]

I wanted to um... I wanted to say... that I'm sorry for the other day.

[ Her voice grows quiet, touching her head to the door between them. The serious, albeit embarrassed, tone likely makes it through the wood. She can only hope it does anyway. ]

[ The moment that Maki takes the handle into her hands and shouts for him not to open the door, Souji lets immediately. Ah, is she still shy about the whole thing? He could... understand that. He doesn't quite know if he could also look her in the eye after that whole debacle, so he respects her wishes and just stands by the door. ]

[ Now, he's not too surprised that she wants to talk with something between them, but he is taken back when she actually apologizes. ]

You have nothing to apologize for. It was entirely my fault.

[ Phew well. That's good. The door being there is best for her, because it means she can say what she really wants to say, without shrinking back and making up excuses under the scrutiny of someone looking at her. Hopefully no one walks by.

Somehow she had thought ahead, that he might say that. Trying to take a deep breath and remember what she planned, Maki touches the door between them with her fingers, staring down at the floor. ]

N-No, I shouldn't have gotten so angry. I was just... embarrassed. I-I'm sure you can understand why but--

[ She sighs audibly. ]

I shouldn't have taken it all out on you. I-I still wouldn't have gone to the ball with you though I--That was already decided!

[ ...She was so close to apologizing without being tsun. ]

[ Honestly, Souji is not bothered by the tsun at all. It doesn't change the fact that Maki seems genuinely apologetic for what happened, and that's what's matters. He doesn't touch the door, out of respect for Maki and to give her the kind of space and barrier that she needs, but he stays close. ]

[ Even if she can't see, Souji makes a point of nodding his head. ]

That's all right. You shouldn't have been pressured to go with me, and I wanted to apologize for that too. I shouldn't have let Betsy-san get that ahead of herself.[ Maybe should have tried to calm her down more. ] But I understand, the way you've reacted and the situation.

If it helps, I wasn't upset at you.

[ She was angry, yes, but he feels that her anger was very justifiable. He honestly can't hold anything against her. ]

[ This is tough. Two people trying to apologize against each other. At least they have the relative self-control not to suddenly butt in and try to speak over each other. Maybe it's the door between them that has Maki quiet while she listens. Even if she can't help but answer quickly, before she needs to think. ]

It's not your fault! You couldn't have known! I... I'm just not interested in dating anyone right now! Not after--

[ After she left? No, Maki can't say that out loud. She slumps against the door with s quiet thud. ]

Anyways... s-so long as you don't try to buy me any more underwear th-then I'm willing to forgive you! [ She's kidding. Mostly.

She's still probably going to keep the gift card. ]

[Robin just happens to be walking by, really. He's trying to familiarize himself with the city so nothing like Hakuno's drunken stupor happens again. So it's a pretty funny coincidence that he'd run into someone who helped him out a little back then, right? He's about to wave as he passes by, but then he notices what store Souji's standing in front of.

He cannot, in good conscience, pass this up.

So he changes direction and sidles up next to Souji, joining him in his stare.]

I feel like I've learned a lot more than I ever needed to know about you, kid.

[ He knew standing out here was a bad idea... He should have just found the strength to walk in. Even when his COURAGE is maxed, it doesn't apply for all situations... ]

... It's not what you think.

There's not a girl alive who'd trust a guy to buy her...let's say unmentionables for her, so what other conclusion could I have come to?

[It's okay, Souji, you can admit it anytime.]

Edited 2016-07-16 02:40 (UTC)

[ Why are you being like this, man?? Souji doesn't want to admit the whole story, that he's buying something in the store because he accidentally ripped a girl's "unmentionables" so this is his way of trying to apologize... He can't say that. He doesn't want anyone to do some detective work and find out who this girl is, so be as vague as possible and maybe pull out a white lie or two... ]

What if it's a surprise gift?

[Holy shit, what if it is a surprise gift?]

You've got balls of steel if you're surprising her like this, kid. If she doesn't like what you pick out, I'll be at your funeral.

[He's just assuming Souji's gonna die at this point, honestly.]

[Susan hadn't had a roommate her first month here.

And then she did. And the thing about roommates is you can't walk around naked when you have them. Even if they probably would like it very much, and Susan adamantly refuses to wear that uniform even when lounging about in her room.

The result is her finding a very awkward person standing outside the store she was about to enter.

There is, of course, only one option. Ignore him and go about her business.

Wait, no. screw with him, that's the one.

Which she begins by standing next to them, staring at the store in seeming mimicry.]

Did you know lots of people go in there, but no one ever comes out?

[ You know, Souji would much rather have someone mess around with him than accusing him of being some sort of pervert. The former is a lot easier to deal with and he doesn't get faze by that at all. In fact, he plays along and nods. ]

I've heard that they get eaten up by all the clothes or get lost among all them.

[She has to try not to pout. It's no fun when they're not bothered.]

So what's the real reason you're standing out here? Someone put you up to it and you have no nerve? Did a callous friend leave you out here while they shop?

[Beat]

Is it a comfort thing? You shouldn't let what other people think stop you if it's a comfort thing.

Edited 2016-07-15 23:28 (UTC)

[ Better luck next time, Susan. It doesn't take much to scare Souji like that. ]

A comfort thing?

[ ........... what ]

You know, if you're going in there to make a purchase for yourself.

[Because it's comfortable.]

Souji-san! Don't you know that this is the section for women's underwear? [Oops, guess who's here, too. And... apparently in her human form, for the time being.]

--Oh! Do you prefer this kind of undergarment?

[ ... Aigis, please, keep your voice down. ]

A-Aigis-san... [ why ] No, it's not for me. I'm here for another reason.

[Why??] Oh, I see. [But why else would that be?]

Um, ah... are you here because you... enjoy looking at women's underwear? Is this your interest, Souji-san?

[ Oh my god ]

I--It's not my interest! [ That comes out a little louder than he intended because Aigis... ] I'm not in here for anything like that, I promise you...

[Aigis blinks. Now she's all kinds of confused.]

But if you aren't in here because you want to buy some for yourself, and you aren't in here because you want to look at it...

--ah! You must have a girlfriend!

[ Sorry, Souji, your roommate couldn't help but curiously follow you into the shop. Clearly Anna needs to find better ways to spend her time, but until then... ]

Hm?? Me? No, I-- I wasn't. Yes. What? I-I don't know, I'm just. Ahah...

[ Anna pretends to sort through some of the items in the store. Just play it cool!! ]

[ Anna... why would you follow him into the store. You are now a victim to this as well. Souji opens his mouth to say something but the cashier beats him. ]

"Looking for more items, hm? You really are draining his wallet, aren't you!"

Oh.

[ BUSTED. ... Souji, that is!! Anna assumes she caught Souji buying pervy underwear either for himself (what a weirdo!) or for someone he likes (also weird!!). Either way, it appears he wants to keep it a secret, so Anna decides to be a good roomie and cover for him. ]

Oh, yeah, I just-- y'know! I love underwear! Can't get enough of it, hah! Darling, fetch me another dozen!

[ This is going to be a terrible day for everyone.

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(OPEN) HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN TO HIM - HE'S MADE HIS MISTAKES

3 B)

yukari... no...

Yukari yes. Yukari ALWAYS yes.

then yukari why....

How about more CASHIER WHY

you caused this, yukari, YOU DID THIS!!!!!

Yukari did nothing! Yukari is innocent of these crimes!

judge souji finds her guilty!

no! she is innocent of these crimes!

tell that to the electric chair!

I prefer the eclectic chair

004~

(,,꒪꒫꒪,,)

this is cute

right? maki's super cute

well thank you!!! she tries her best

10/10 would see maki being cute again

never. next time he will have to be blindfolded

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