[Semi-Closed] Happy Birthday!

[topgun_textiles]

Characters: Naoto Shirogane, Kanji Tatsumi & OPEN to their mishmesh of friends and colleagues, be they SEES, Agency or otherwise!
Location: Death City Heights, Building 6, 1-C
Rating: Varies
Time: April 27th, ~6 PM onward
Description: After the events of this log, Kanji has one last surprise. What's a birthday without friends?



It all started with a text sent to as many as Kanji could muster on such short notice that they were on their way up and to hit the lights and hide. Still sort of reeling from the London trip proper, Kanji couldn't help the little grin to himself. It was kind of amazing how many people were willing to give him a hand with everything; there was no way in hell, he knew, that he'd manage to pull today off on his own.

He held his breath as he played it casual, pushing open the door to a dark apartment. In his head he counted to three... and then, he flipped on the lights.

Comments

[timelessummoner]

[Raidou waits for the more outspoken guests to bombard her first, petting Iza in the meantime. Once the initial noise settles down, he approaches, in uniform as always.]

Happy birthday, Shirogane-san.

[pishirogane]

[When are they ever out of some form of uniform?]

Thank you, Kuzunoha-san.

[timelessummoner]

[Casuals are for rookies.]

Here. [He hands her a wooden case.] I thought you might like this.

[pishirogane]

Hm?

[She takes the case and looks at it curiously. Does she... open it? Naoto decides to slowly.]

[timelessummoner]

[Inside is an old-school revolver -- old-school enough that Raidou has probably used one himself before. It's fully functional too. Guns are perfectly acceptable birthday presents, right?]

It took some time to find this particular design, but it is one I've always favored.

[pishirogane]

[For someone like Naoto, it is perfectly acceptable. There's an antiquity to it, but also the fact that it still worked and reminded her of the revolvers she was used to handling. Overall, it reminded her of the first revolver her grandfather let her use.]

I'll make sure to take good care of it.

[timelessummoner]

[He nods, glad to see she approves.]

Did you enjoy your day with Tatsumi-san?

[pishirogane]

Yes, I did. He planned today thoroughly.

[timelessummoner]

He cares about you quite a bit.

[pishirogane]

[She nods, looking away as her cheeks dusts pink]

I know... I'm still not entirely accustomed to it.

[timelessummoner]

Mm, I can understand that. [Growing up pretty much friendless can do that.] It is a good feeling, though. Being cared for, that is.

[He notices the blush and it more or less confirms what he already guessed about their relationship. He won't push the issue though; no need to make her feel embarrassed.]

[pishirogane]

... It does. I'm used to those days where I handle the caring. Still, being cared for and being able to care for someone equally is much more satisfying.

[She would figure he would. Seriously, he's much faster on the uptake noticing that than she is.] What do you suppose would be the proper way to express my gratitude to Kanji?

[timelessummoner]

Hmm... I expect he appreciates just having your company. Perhaps you could do something he enjoys together?

[pishirogane]

Something... yes, but I'm terrible at knitting.

[timelessummoner]

How about baking? Or you could have an outing together... Well, I suppose you just did...

[What do people do when they're dating...?]

[pishirogane]

... Baking could actually work.

[She isn't a terrible cook. Don't worry Raidou, it's something she's still trying to understand.]

[timelessummoner]

There you go, then. It will be good for relaxing between missions.

[Your frequent missions haven't escaped his notice. Take it easy, brosis -- you're going to leave him and Alucard in the dust at this rate.]

[pishirogane]

[She wasn't expecting to really escape his notice]

So long as the mission goes well. [What if they get into an argument on a mission.]

[timelessummoner]

Even if it doesn't, it is important to unwind and give yourself time to heal before trying again. Shared hobbies are good for that.

[You don't want to know what kind of creations he and Al have managed to put together in kitchen when a mission has gone wrong.]

[pishirogane]

I never had someone to share a hobby with...

[She thinks] ... What do you do to unwind with Alucard-san?

[timelessummoner]

Usually we attempt to cook, or play with the cats. Sometimes we go explore the city -- there is always something to be found that doesn't exist in our timelines.

...Or we just read. Quiet evenings at home have their benefits.

[pishirogane]

[She nods. Most of those activities seemed very divided between Naoto and Kanji. Of course, she reminds herself, those are examples]

I see...

[timelessummoner]

...I may not be the best person to ask about hobbies, to be honest. It is usually Alucard-san who initiates our activities. He thinks I work too much.

[Which he probably does.]

[pishirogane]

That seems to be the general consensus of everyone we speak to.

[Detective work is time consuming.]

[timelessummoner]

I suppose they are not always wrong... but sometimes it is necessary.

[If they don't do their jobs, who will?]