aerialassault | 003 [action/text]

[Action: Locked to Fayt Leingod and (maybe) Albel Nox]

[It was cold.

Cliff shifted under the blankets and stretched his legs, not caring about anything but the familiar knitted sheets that touched his bare skin and the familiar scent of what he knew was his apartment in town. It was simple. It was a taste of the freedom he would grab once he slept off his aching muscles and refreshed his weary mind.

For the moment he just wanted to appreciate the warmth. He didn't remember the beds being this comfortable...]

[Action: Open]

[People in town might notice an unfamiliar young woman wandering about the shops that afternoon in search of something that fitted better than the oversized leather bomber jacket and heavy boots that covered her thin white dress. Her striking blue hair and green eyes bore a startling resemblence to another young man, Fayt Leingod-- but, that had to be coincidence.

Passers by might even find her asking them a simple question in a tone that hinted at her contained frustration:]

Hey. Could ya gimme a hand for a minute?

[Clearly, she wasn't used to asking for this sort of help.

Later on, a quick message in a familiar hand is scrawled out in the journals for everyone to read:]

[Text]

I'm back. Anyone miss me?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh don't worry about that. Pants and dresses are far more appropriate.

So you're saying that you'll help me with this?

Well. Yes? Why wouldn't I?

No reason. I was planning to keep this problem on the down-low, but there's no way that I would turn down an offer from you.

Well you're going to need some help. I shudder to think of you trying to figure out how to dress yourself in girl's clothes.

Hey, I know a few things. I'm not that hopeless!

Well good. Then, meet me at the shop in twenty minutes?

[So skeptical. And she has no desire to think about Cliff of all people bra-shopping alone...]

Twenty. Right.

[Cliff would be there without fail. Embarrassing as it was, Rei was definitely going to be more helpful than almost anyone else that he could think of.

It was still embarrassing.]

[And in twenty, she's standing outside the shop, leaning against a rail.]

[Cliff arrived not long after, wearing the scattered assortment of clothes that he had found that afternoon. They covered him and mostly fit, which was what truly mattered, but even a laid back guy like him didn't relish the thought of looking a kid that went dumpster diving behind a thrift shop.

The slim, blue haired figure waved when they drew near.]

Hey, Rei. 'Sup?

[Rei waved and gave him a nod.]

Waiting on you, as usual. But you look good, at least.

Haha-- I try. I've got a decent eye for lines and colors, at least.

[He grinned.]

You look like you've held up alright while I was out.

[She snorts a laugh and heads inside]

Of course I have. I can take care of myself, you know.

[He followed, glad to get out of the cold.]

That was never a question. You're strong, but this place is weird.

Well it's been quiet, really. Nothing crazy happening, and we're getting close to a big holiday. So, I imagine they're saving up some insanity.

Ah. Right, it's that one winter holiday, isn't it? Christmas?

[It was still early enough in the winter, by his count. The holiday was a good bet.]

Yes, it is. It's one of the more important ones. Hopefully it won't be too interfered with. I have plans for a change.

So it's one of your's too, huh? [He shot her a sly, teasing grin.] You got plans with that girl you like?

Ah...actually maybe? Amagi-san and I were going to have a Japanese style Christmas. Just a little gathering of friends, really. But I was going to invite Fenimore-san.

Inviting someone you like to a party's never a bad idea. But, I've gotta ask...there's a difference between a Japanese style Christmas and a not-Japanese style Christmas?

[Earthling cultures. He knew the basics, but the details were all foreign to him.]

Yes, sort of. For people your age, Christmas is for lovers in Japan. For single people like me? It's more for fun with your friends and family. In the West, it's a religious holiday though.

Also, we have fried chicken for food, and in the West there are feasts to celebrate the Christian God, and his son Jesus Christ.

[Earthling cultures: so complicated. Cliff nodded thoughtfully at her words.]

I see, so it depends on age and location.

...

As fun as feasts can be, I think I'll stick with the fried chicken for dinner. Hands down. More time to be with people, that way, and less time messing in the kitchen.

[Or being kicked out, in his case. Under no circumstances was he allowed to ever help, unless it was possibly for reaching something or to help clean up afterward.]

It is easier, isn't it? There are other foods that go with it, but that's just something people have started doing.

[And believe her when she says she'd rather it be Cliff than Yukiko in the kitchen.]

[Cliff will need to meet this Yukiko one day, and test his kitchen skills against her's. If she was that unimpressive, then perhaps she could appreciate some of Cliff's 'talents'.]

Much. 'Course, now I'm wondering if we're gonna get smacked with something weird before the month's out. Since there's mostly Earthling's here, and those pencil pushers are fans of Earthling holiday's, I'd be willing to bet money on it if we had any.

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