[OPEN] It takes two, baby, me and you

[burnmydread]

Who: Minato Arisato AND/OR Orihime Inoue & you!
When: December 1st thru December 20th
Where: Caissa, Blanc, and other places if need be
What: Job/quest and catch-all for December. Minato and Orihime wake up from their month-long sleep and includes the most wonderful time of the year job
Rating: PG-13! Will update if necessary

1. rise and shine, sleeping beauty

[ Nothing like a month-long coma to make waking up even harder. To be fair, momentary lapses into sleep for weeks on end isn't that strange for him, but he recognizes the telltale signs when he does start to wake up. He'd heard about this happening to other people before, but he has yet to be affected by it. Strange, considering he spends so much time in bed. (It's not exactly as sexy as it sounds.)

Eventually even Minato can drag his ass out of bed. Well, one final attempt--technically someone was waiting for him when he woke up the first time and after assuring her that he wasn't actually dead, Minato did the logical thing and fell right back asleep. But this time, 'lo, this time he wakes for real. He finds his carrier waiting at the edge of his bed, also a little groggy but generally unconcerned. She's a cat, so that's not surprising. Looking around, though, he doesn't see his large fish bucket, so Unagi must be somewhere else. And--oh, he assumes his griffon is where it's supposed to be. Or he hopes.

But first things first. You can't sleep for a month and go wandering around looking for animals on an empty stomach.

So here is Minato, wandering down the hall in his pajamas and looking quite a bit like a zombie. He's making a beeline for the dining hall, though he may be walking into people if he's not really paying attention. ]

2. it's the most wonderful time of the year

[ With this "Cherima" on the horizon, Minato is finding that there are several local customs of this season that work in his favor. Namely, there appears to be an abundance of festival food once again available for consumption. (And purchase, but that's really just a technicality.) It seems that some customs really span across cultures, and not just celebratory food.

Minato watches with mild curiosity as he sees what can only be described as fairies hang up small bundles of leaves that closely resemble mistletoe. He's not ever been someone who does much with Christmas in the first place other than the customary visit to KFC on the 25th, but he knows what those are for.

And he deserves something after his month long coma, right? Right.

Of course, some of the mistletoe are magical. The real question is, is he lucky enough to find someone under one already or is he just going to conveniently place himself by one on the off chance it will work out for him? That depends on who seems to be waiting already... ]

3. There'll be scary ghost stories

[ Of course when everything seems to be going just fine, something has to throw a wrench in the gears. Minato had been enjoying some of the local fare of food, as per usual, when he notices a few surprised yelps in the crowd of people. Raising a brow, he steps forward out of curiosity more than an adherence to his duties as a Hero. Yet as he draws closer--

--ah. Yeah. Krampus, he thinks that's what they're called. There's a bunch of these guys roaming around, causing good-natured mischief, if that can be a thing. He looks decidedly less worried.

Turning around, Minato goes back to his dish, or he means to when someone bumps into him. Yet as he looks back-- ]

...

[ That sure is a Krampus running away with not only his dinner, but also his coin purse. ]

...Hey!

Wildcard!

[ Open prompt for whatever! If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up. ]

1. Search for the wayward pagonlin

[ Sleep is something she's always enjoyed. Not just because of the restorative properties, but because getting to be fully enveloped in her dreams has always been one of her favorite things. Orihime has quite the active imagination, but at night it can run free without worry of landing her in any awkward situation as she loses herself to her thoughts in the middle of class or as she's crossing the street. Her dreams are exciting and engaging and full of wonderful things! Sometimes they can be sad, but for the most part, Orihime enjoys getting to reflect on them the next day. Strange...as she wakes up this time, though, she's having trouble recalling them.

Orihime stretches as she pushes herself up into a sitting position. Her room appears empty, which is a little sad. One of the things she really likes about being a Hero is the fact that she's got roommates and so many nice neighbors close by. A little groggy, she reaches her hands up as far as they can go!--stretching one more time before swinging her legs over the side of the bed. ]

Whew! I feel like I haven't moved in weeks, haha.

[ She's good-natured as ever as she smiles, looking to the side of her pillow where her carrier normally sleeps. Except, she can't find the little pangolin there. ]

Kou-kun?

[ Hm...

What ensues is an animated series of cut scenes as she looks in every probably and improbable area of her room, which includes under the bed, in her trunk by her panties, on top of the curtain rods, under the mattress of her roommate...

But no sign of that tricksy little carrier! Orihime scratches her head. He can be a little absent-minded (like his mom) but he's not the sort to just wander on his own.

She feels like she needs to shower, but first thing first--she's got to find her friend. Throwing on her coat over her pajamas, Orihime pokes her head out into the hallway. ]

Kooooouuuuu-kuuuuun~! ♥

[ ...Nothing?

Well, she'll just have to call his name out all over the Hall of Heroes. ]

2. Oh, ho, the mistletoe is hung where you can see

[ After coming to terms with the fact that, yes, she had been asleep for a whole month, Orihime realizes she has a lot of catching up to do! So when she finds out that not only was that virus finally cured but that a celebration is in order, she feels like she should participate. Of course, a large part of her feels guilty that she wasn't actually around to help the effort, but maybe she can make up for her absence in other ways!

Of course she is totally taken in by the bonfires and various treats and snacks available. It's definitely not strange to see her walking around munching on something. But it's when she's stationary that she's faced with a new...opportunity? Problem. Maybe a little of both.

Orihime had been enjoying a s'more--which might explain some of the chocolate in the corner of her mouth, someone should tell her about that--when she finds herself stopped dead in her tracks. ]

Huh?

[ Being a King and someone who is generally familiar with the concepts of "barrier magic", it doesn't take very long for her to realize that she's quite literally stuck in place. A small wave of panic ensues as she tests her boundaries, discovering that she has about a two foot radius of motion on every side. It's not that far. ]

Uh-um....

[ Really not good. Even a few of the spells she's muttering under her breath don't seem to have any affect. And people are walking by like there isn't a girl trapped in some sort of invisible force field! Wait, if it's not magic...is it aliens? She could be trapped in some new technology...oh no... Orihime calls out to the next person that walks by, ]

E-Excuse me!

[ She's neglected to take note of the mistletoe right above her head, as well as the fairies who are snickering floating just above it. ]

3. You're sweet like chocolate, you bring me so much joy

[ Thank goodness she got out of that fairy trap, thanks to the kindness of her fellow Heroes! After that much excitement, the only logical thing to do is eat some more. And drink! Of course, she is going for the hot chocolate. Who doesn't like hot chocolate? It's so creamy and sweet and can come in so many combinations. She wants to try them all!

So, you know. She does.

How could she not?

What Orihime doesn't exactly realize is that it is, apparently, also a tradition to not only doctor hot chocolate with other sorts of sweet treats, but also sweet liquors. A few of the drinks taste a little different, but she's all for trying different things. Still, as she sips, she looks contemplative...and a little curious? ]

This one is interesting... [ Hello random person also sampling the hot chocolate. ] I've had so many kinds today: I've had traditional hot chocolate, black cherry hot chocolate, lavender hot chocolate, chili spice hot chocolate, peanut butter hot chocolate--I really liked that one!--but I'm not sure what this is...I wonder what the secret is!

[ Do you know? And further, do you share the secret or get crunk? ]

Wildcard!

[ Open prompt for whatever! If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up. ]

Comments

MINATO ARISATO

[burnmydread]

[ Threads go here! ]

1

[notwagging]

[ Keaton's been too busy trying to make sense of this place. He knows exactly where his room is and a few others, but other than that, he's still getting his footing. It didn't help that his welcoming experience was trying to protect some important guy in his city hall from crystal golems, then being whisked off to run some escort and then watch some werewolves get lit up by magical burning scars...

... so cut him some slack as he notices Minato wandering in a direction. Gosh, he looks tired. Maybe he needs help? Or maybe he knows something that Keaton doesn't know? ]

Hey, you okay? You look like you've been asleep for a thousand years!

[ Or a month. They're basically the same amount of time. ]

[burnmydread]

[ Sounds a lot like a normal day in the life of a Hero: equal parts nonsensical and often painful. It's good that he's fitting in already. And it's very kind of him to reach out to a stranger, good job at fitting the Hero expectations.

He does pause, seeming to take a moment to realize he's being spoken to. Tired eyes turn to an unfamiliar face. Tired, but...no sleep could ruin his deadpan. ]

I look young for my age, don't I?

[notwagging]

You do! Must be magic or something, huh.

[ Time to circle the prey young-looking old human. Is he really taking Minato's words as truth? Certainly doesn't smell like someone who's in their twilight years, but hey, his sense of smell has been lacking as of late too. ]

Where you heading? Somewhere fancy? Magical? Neat? Actually, don't answer that last one.

[ Neat is for squares. Dirty, though? Fan-freaking-tastic. ]

[burnmydread]

Something like that.

[ Minato doesn't appear to be put off by the fact he'd being circled like a buffalo on a nature channel, but that's mostly because he doesn't appear to be much than bland most of the time. He is curious--does...this guy have, like, cat ears? Dog ears? Huh.

But when someone says not to do something, that's exactly the reason to do it. Unless Mitsuru tells you. Everyone listens to Mitsuru. ]

Super neat.

[ The most totally off the hook neat place ever. ]

The dining hall.

[ Look, it might not sound like much, but it's one of his favorite places to be. ]

2

[hoasen]

[Is it one of those times he was caught loitering under the mistletoe? Except she doesn't even notice, moreso she was excited to see him.]

Minato! [She waves as she makes her way over. It's been some time!]

[burnmydread]

[ Ah, yes, the pure soul that she is...No, it has been a while since he last saw her, so it's good to see that she's in good health. He even does as much to offer one of his infrequent small smiles. (That's a big deal, okay.) ]

Hey. Long time no see.

[hoasen]

[She is so pure (when it counts now I guess) and oh...he smiled. What a nice smile? Because it's like rare treasure.]

It certainly has! How have you been?

[She didn't even know he was asleep.]

[burnmydread]

[ That's okay, he didn't realize he was asleep at the time either. He's also totally aware of where he's standing, so he'll see how long it takes for her to notice. If she does. ]

Taking it easy.

[ See what he did there? ]

How about you?

3

[moreasleep]

[He just knew it. There was no way this could end well. Everyone in masks, causing mischief; regardless of intention there would always be that one asshole to take advantage of it. Rory acted as soon as he saw the hit and he cast a barrier. Except, those complicated barrier spells did not work quite as well when he could not identify the specific person he needed to trap. The thieving Krampus ran right through it.

Cussing under his breath, Rory did this the old-fashioned way, he chased after him.]

Come back here, you shit!

[burnmydread]

[ Clearly people can't be trusted with the opportunity to be evil santa. Who would have guessed? Looks like the guy who was swindled is just as frustrated as he is, so...he actually takes a second to decide if this guy can handle it on his own, but decides to give chase as well. ]

Got anything heavy?

[moreasleep]

[The crowd made it difficult to navigate, but it also meant the thief was similarly burdened. He kept his sights on him, trying not to lose him in with the other disguised citizens.]

Here.

[He took a jar full of what looked to be soil and handed it to him. Guess they were suddenly partners in taking down crime. Just don't ask why he carried that around and things would go smoothly.]

[burnmydread]

[ A jar of dirt? What could be worth carrying a jar of dirt around? Well, Minato's not really in the position to judge, because the next thing he does is hop up onto a vendor's cart and chucks the jar of dirt at the criminal krampus.

Hopefully it wasn't special dirt, because he might have just broken the jar. He definitely hit someone! But was it Krampus...? ]

1

[long_live_the_queen]

[Minato sure did bump into someone! Quite literally, and they were quite displeased with it.

Much like Kaede was with most things.

The diclonius recoiled when something bumped into her, as if she was burned, and smacked her arm backwards at whatever was responsible before she got a look at them.]

Watch where the fuck you're—

[Wait. She...knew that guy. She was actually kind of worried about him.

And she also kind of just clotheslined his face.]

...going?

[Oops.]

[burnmydread]

...!

[ Yes. Yes she certainly did, which is exactly why Minato just kind of stops and falls backward onto his ass.

And he's not moving.

Is he dead or just lazy? ]

[long_live_the_queen]

[Well. Shit.

But for that burst of worries that flooded her mind, Kaede...froze. She didn't know what to do.]

Minato?!

Wildcard

[seventhgen]

[Aigis has learned a new emotion, in the days since Minato had fallen into his deep sleep-- anxiety. It reminds her too much of that fateful spring day. The day he fell asleep, and much like this, never woke. She cares for him dutifully while he's asleep, monitoring his vital signs carefully; the fact that there's never any dip or change is some comfort. Some. Not much.

She's in his room when he stirs, adjusting the curtains in case the light is bothersome while he sleeps... and the sound instantly causes her to spin around to face him.

She's at his side immediately.] --ah! You're awake!

[burnmydread]

[ He's had a lot of dreamless sleeps over the years, never the kind of person to give into his imagination in the first place. But even still, he's familiar with the sort of void and sense of time travel that hangs over him when he's been asleep for too long. His whole body feels stiff, but strangely not weakened like it would normally. Such reflections are beyond his current mental capabilities, however it doesn't seem he needs to worry about that.

When he hears Aigis, he's momentarily confused. A little out of time and space can be disorienting, but as his room starts to form around him, things start clicking into place.

He manages a dry, ]

...g'morning.

[ as her own features start to sharpen. Is it even morning? ]

[seventhgen]

[It is not remotely morning. Aigis feels like she could cry. Good thing she's not equipped for it.] It... it is actually late afternoon, Minato-san. Are you feeling all right? Do you need any water? Any food? Please, don't feel the need to strain yourself! [She fusses over him, wanting to touch him but knowing that her hands are not exactly the most comfortable things in the world.] --if there's anything you require, I can bring it right away! [Her concern is definitely a little too much to have just been for a sleep of a day or two.]

2- ITS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME to get smooched?

[sewawesome]

[ Kanji would never win any sort of award for being observant. Which is why he's hanging out under some magical mistletoe, pondering why he has the bizarre urge to smooch people, and also whether or not this is something worth getting worked up and over for. It seems kinda strange, but maybe' its just the magic of this place messing with his system or something.

That the effect is localized, and that he's right in the middle of a pocket doesn't occur to him, so he's just loitering away, sipping at a cup of hot chocolate someone shoved in his hands, that he kept only because the little reindeer design on the side is so cute!

Kanji loves cute reindeer. ]

THE TIME IS NOW

[burnmydread]

[ Normally someone waiting underneath a mistletoe is because they're looking for some action. This guy is big with the sort of "fuck off" look about him that might jive well with Shinji. But he seems pretty content to just hang out and drink from his...reindeer cup?

So, of course, that's what Minato has to point out. ]

Nice cup.

and now i'm thinking john cena xD

[sewawesome]

[ Kanji's a little surprised someone is talking to him, but really, everyone here seems a lot more friendly than people in Inaba—he's wondering if maybe that's just a small-town thing, where everybody knowing everybody means everybody knows that he's a punk.

Or maybe it's just that senpai's advice is really, really good. IT's been nice, too, to live up to being himself and liking his cute things. ]

D'you really think so? [ This guy complimented his cup. With the cute reindeer. Clearly, this guy is a solid. ] I love the reindeer! They are so cute, with their little bells and fluffy tails and– [ Kanji looks up at this guy, and suddenly finds himself staring at his lips. ]

You're lips are really nice. [ –that is not at all what he meant to say. But man, that weird urge is even stronger now, and Kanji has no idea what's coming out of his mouth. ]

okay but if you give me a mistletoe prompt I can't really say no

[rememberher]

[ Today may just be Minato's lucky day, however, because positioned underneath a telltale sprig of mistletoe is a certain blond light mage, staring up at it quizzically. Like she isn't quite sure of the significance.

Maybe he would like to explain it to her? Will this be a lecture, or is it time for show and tell? ]

it's there just for you

[burnmydread]

[ Clearly she's got no idea what the whole mistletoe thing is about. Should he explain it to her or just play along?

He walks up to stand next to her, staring up at the little hanging plant as well. ]

What do you think?

Thanks for looking out for me ❤

[rememberher]

[ What does she..? Huh?

Looking down at Minato, then back up at the sprig of--what was that?--she seems more than a bit confused by it, and by his question. ]

Well, I suppose if it makes them happy.

[ Whoever put it out there, she means. It seems pretty random. ]