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aboxfullofstars2020-12-08 04:03 pm
stillnotretired) wrote in aboxfullofstars2020-12-08 04:03 pm
30 [Open Post] Merry Christmas, Happy New Years, And The Best Winter Holiday Parties Ever!
The Winter Holidays Season is coming, and City ***** is all a-glitter with pretty holos and other winter holiday things -
And City *****'s Market Square and WorldTree-Mart are having all kinds of Winter Holiday Sales!
And in addition to that, many parks, hotels, spas, onsens, bakeries, restaurants and other services are offering Special Winter Holiday Plans, all the better to have some winter fun with.
But wait - Something strange is happening, as it often does in City *****.
Mayor Inverse is hosting City *****'s Annual Christmas and Winter Holidays Party, as she usually does, but this time, she (or rather, her party planners) seem to have run into a problem.
There is a large holo banner hanging over the center of City ***** now -
Happy Winter Holidays, Everybody - So, Let's Partyyyyyy!
Yes, it's a Reality Wave, it seems...
And some people and beings are getting a strong urge to organize big parties of the Winter Holiday kind, even if they don't like throwing parties of any kinds at all normally!
[Whether the characters are affected by the Reality Wave or not are all up to their Muns. Characters will go back to normal in 3 days, or whenever the Muns want them to.]
[This is an Open Post, and the Muns can make up their own Winter Holiday or Winter Holiday Party themed events, and thread with each other, too.]
And City *****'s Market Square and WorldTree-Mart are having all kinds of Winter Holiday Sales!
And in addition to that, many parks, hotels, spas, onsens, bakeries, restaurants and other services are offering Special Winter Holiday Plans, all the better to have some winter fun with.
But wait - Something strange is happening, as it often does in City *****.
Mayor Inverse is hosting City *****'s Annual Christmas and Winter Holidays Party, as she usually does, but this time, she (or rather, her party planners) seem to have run into a problem.
There is a large holo banner hanging over the center of City ***** now -
Happy Winter Holidays, Everybody - So, Let's Partyyyyyy!
Yes, it's a Reality Wave, it seems...
And some people and beings are getting a strong urge to organize big parties of the Winter Holiday kind, even if they don't like throwing parties of any kinds at all normally!
[Whether the characters are affected by the Reality Wave or not are all up to their Muns. Characters will go back to normal in 3 days, or whenever the Muns want them to.]
[This is an Open Post, and the Muns can make up their own Winter Holiday or Winter Holiday Party themed events, and thread with each other, too.]
Yuuko's Shop of Wishes - Happy Winter Holidays!
Yes, I think the Reality Wave is going to go on throughout the Winter Holiday Season, all the way to the Old New Years in Feburary, I'm afraid...
[Lina Inverse sighed on the other side of the connection.]
- Yes, yes, I thought as much, but I just wanted to make sure. More then half my catering people and other party service people have been affected, you see - They all want to host their own parties, and it's making things pretty complicated...
James and Retsuko's Big Karaoke Party!
...Aand this room is perfect for your needs, I think! The Karaoke Machine here is not just for Karaoke - You can use it for all kinds of stage effects!
And stage may seem small, but if you just do this -
[Kasumi waved something that looked like small wand at the stage, then.]
Config 18, please!
[Aand James and Retsuko both blinked as the stage suddenly became twice as big!]
Ohhh...
[James said, grinning, while Retsuko waved her paw hands.]
...What are your sound dampening shields like? When I let go, I have this tendency to really let go, you see...
1
"That means this room is isolated well enough," Marie grinned. She then latched onto Retsuko, hugging the tiny red panda tightly, and petting her head. Marie's long platinum-blond hair waved as she paced around the room in joy, admiring the things around it, red irises studying everything around her with joy! While refusing to let Resuko go, of course.
Meanwhile, Joan's steps echoed inside the room, glancing everywhere around her in both study and quieter interest. She then asked.
"So it can change sizes?"
2
"Hn! Indeed," Kotomi chirped, "it operates under similar principles of subspace, in that it is far smaller from the outside than it is from the inside. It was actually pretty fun to work with this."
A part of Kotomi felt a little fear by the age she had attained by now. Her voice, when she first arrived, had been softer, almost whispery, whereas her age had deepened her voice somewhat. Then again... it was a matter of how to work one's voice.
"James-san, Retsuko-chan, Joan-san, hello," Kotomi smiled.
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[Retsuko groaned as Marie hugged her.]
...Marie-chan! I'm not a stuffed animal, OK?
[And then, she smiled a bit, leaned up, hugged Marie back - And then, looked up at Joan.]
.......Hi. Joan-san.
[James, in the meanwhile, was grinning in the general direction of Kotomi and Joan and Marie, and waving his hands.]
- Welcome to the hallowed land of party planning, Ms Joan, Miss Kotomi, Miss Marie!
[And then, he walked up to both of them, leaned over, and whispered - ]
...Ms Retsuko is saying that she's not going to invite her workmates, as she's already being forced to take part in her company's End of the Year Party, and once of those is enough already, thank you, or that's what she says, anyway.
And I'm planning on inviting Ms Yuuko, Miss Sumomo, and the Bakery folks already, but if you have any other people or beings you want to invite, please do tell me - or Ms Retsuko - as soon as possible, all right?
[Aand that was when Kasumi came up to them, smiling.]
- And if you want to order any special food or drinks, please do tell me.
I've already planned something special for Yuuko-san, and I'm pretty sure I can figure out something the Antique people will like, too...
[James chuckled at that.]
- Yeaaaah, Tachibana was sooo happy to hear that people didn't expect him or his crew to provide the food for a change, ha ha ha...
1/2
They were from different worlds, and different interests. Their attempt at being together, long ago, did not mesh as either expected. However, it did not mean the two of them did not stop being friends... and, did not stop Marie from cuddling her!
Marie let her go, only because she asked.
"Spartans can keep secrets," she then smiles to Retsuko, "it's alright. We'll just try to keep our poor Spartan senses to ourselves."
As Marie talked, and even gushed about the entire thing, Joan sat on one of the audience chairs. She rose her hand to quietly ask for hot cocoa. She crossed her legs.
Marie then beamed to Joan, "you think we can get Fred, Kelly, and Linda on there?"
"I could order them," Joan turned her head aside to think, not stating whenever if that was sarcasm or not. "Kelly might be in the mood to sing something from that old band Queen."
Which would create a whole mess of things on its own. Marie shrugged as if she had taken the suggestion seriously, and hummed to herself. Besides, that thing about Queen was very much true.
"Oooh! Ooh! Ask for some cake! Maybe some eggnog or cider."
2/2
As for tonight... Kotomi thought of making use of the deeper voice she had, into singing. Maybe something for Ayaana-kun later on, to.
She turned to Kasumi, "what were you planning, Kasumi-chan?"
(1)
...Well, we can make cakes, too, if anybody wants us too - Our cakes may not be as good as the Antique Bakery's, but most of our customers seem to like them.
I mean, Tachibana-san, Ono-san, Kobayashi-san and Kanda-san are supposed to be guests today, after all.
[Kotomi blinked for a moment, until she remembered that Chikage-san's family name was Kobayashi, and Eiji-san's family name was Kanda.]
...Oh, right.
[Kotomi smiled at that.]
- Hmmm. Should I help with the cooking?
...Thank you for the thought, Kotomi-san, but no - You are a guest, and you should be free to enjoy yourself at the party, I think...
[And then, Kasumi took out her Phone, and made a holo planner pop up on top.]
I am already planning to make several different kinds of roasted riceballs, flavored with miso and soysauce.
Yuuko-san likes those, if I recall correctly...
And I am also planning to make some more traditional japanese foods, though Yuuko-san would probably consider most of them to be "newfangled food", I do believe.
[Marie, in the meanwhile, was waving her hands.]
...Hey, James, Retsuko! Can I call Gilbert and Elizaveta to the Karaoke Party too?
- Of course, Marie-san!
[Retsuko said, and added the names to the holo chart floating on top of her Phone.]
...Not that I have any idea who those people are, ha ha ha -
[James grinned at that.]
...Never mind, I know who they are -
[And then, he walked toward Kasumi.]
- You know Gil and Liz already, right, Ms Kasumi? I'm sure they'd appreciate it a lot if they didn't have to cook for a change, too.
[Kasumi smiled again at that.]
...Yes, of course! German - Well, prussian food and hungarian food, right? Though Gilbert-san does seem to be quite fond of curry wursts, ha ha ha -
(2)
[The Karaoke Party Starts!]
[Yuuko smiled, and walked into the Karaoke Party Room.]
[She was wearing a green and blue dress with butterfly patterns, made from the same fabric kimonos usually are, and looked beautiful indeed.]
...Thank you for the invitation, James-san.
[She said with a smile - And then, Sumomo came up behind her, grinning.]
...And thanks for not forgetting to invite me, either, James-kun - Ha ha ha!
1/2
Joan pressed a hand over Kyou's face to pull her back. She rose a finger to ask Kasumi a hydration shot to sober her up.
Elizabeta laughed uproariously and wrapped her arms around Joan's side, nuzzling her head and that of Marie before either of them could escape.
"You two are my most precious daughters! You sure you don't know any songs in hungarian?" She smooshed her cheeks against both of them, "I am pretty sure you can make your mom proud! It's not just fighting with you two!"
2/2
Without Joan to nuzzle on, and Kotomi being the largest girl among the people from Hikarizaka, Kyou instead nuzzled against Kotomi! An act that made Kotomi blush!
"Kyou-chan! Don't bully me! I'm going to marry Ayaana-kun in a few months!"
"Then let's make use of the time!"
Kyou was a little too wasted, hence her cupping both of Kotomi's enormous mounds up, and pressing her cheek against hers. All with the intention to push her against Ayaana's solid chest, of course. She rose a beer high up in the air.
"Alright, you girls! Hit it! Gimme a song for this cute and her hunk of a husband since they'll make the cutest couple ever!"
no subject
Yes, of course I know Hungarian songs, Elizaveta.
There were plenty of people from...
[Kotomi hiccuped, then.]
...But anyway - Hic - Aren't we too young to drink?
[Kyou giggled at that.]
- What are you talking about, we've been here for years and years and we're all Uni Students now, remember?
[Kotomi stared at her cup, and hiccuped again.]
...Yes, that's right. We're older now I'm in World Tree Uni and I have lots and lots of friends and - and I'm - I'm going to get married! To Ayaana-san!
[Kotomi froze, then.]
...But Kyou-chan? What if - What if this is all a dream?
What if I just wake up, and I'll be back at my house, and I'll be in high school again, and my parents wouldn't be there because my parents died even if my AU parents I live with now didn't, in their world I died instead...
[And then, she wiped her eyes.]
...And Ayaana-san wouldn't be there either. Because my world doesn't have Dog People at all.
[James heard that, his cup of oolong tea in his hands, and wondered what to do. He wasn't drunk at all, as he had not drunk a drop of alchohol all night. He didn't want to get in the habit - A glass of beer could send him to sleep when he was back home, after all, and even if the nanos could handle it while he was in this place...]
no subject
Kyou raised her head at Joan... then nodded, and smiled, if a little sadly. Their friend had changed so much, she was older than the rest of them, now. As much as it pained her, that their friend had lived a long life in here, with blissful and terrifying experiences they couldn't get to share, she knew Joan, and Yuuko, were perhaps the best ones to talk to her.
In the dark corner, sitting as only two people, Joan let Kotomi sob against her shoulder. Only after those minutes of grief and fear had passed, was it when Joan spoke.
"I have lived a different life ever since I was born," Joan cradled Kotomi's head, "I saw alien life declaring itself as the greatest threat to humanity in its very first contact. I saw even older structures and enemies appearing that were destroyed only with the willpower of people I cherish."
His conscription. The augmentations. The Covenant. Halo.
"I was saved from staying in space for decades. I met the champions of many worlds. I died, and came back to life to bear a scar in the same place you do."
Kotomi glanced up. She instinctively held the spot beneath her chest, where her heart was. The same texture of scarred skin. When she pressed a hand onto Joan's stomach, sliding it beneath the same spot... she could immediately tell.
The two of them had died. Their hearts had stopped at one point, and had nearly ended both of their lives. But they somehow survived.
"I found parts of myself that had been buried for time immemorial. I even returned to my world... all to realize, I did not fit in, and that this world was my home." Joan glanced down, "I don't pass a day in my life where I don't wonder if this is all a dream... but if it is, it is a dream worth keeping, in case I ever wake up."
In that corner, while the rest sang, drank, and partied, Joan held Kotomi. Not as a mother, not as a father, not as a teacher. But as someone who had faced the same wonders and horrors she had.
"Kotomi-sama."
Joan suddenly used another honorific for her. One meant for the highest honors. Making note of everything Dr. Ichinose had seen and done.
Kotomi turned to Joan, baffled by the sudden term. An extreme contrast from the -chan she had always asked her friends to use. She had always seen John as the mature person, the chaperone of their group. But that they referred to her as a superior...
"I met you many years ago," Joan said, "I have the recordings where you quoted ancient literature, where you befriended Ami, where you were baptized as Saint Lyre, where you became one of the smartest people I have ever known. I can tell you we all exist, and that what we have lived with you is real."
Joan spread an arm around Kotomi, and held her tight. Kotomi lowered her head, and rested onto Joan's chest.
"We have the memories to prove to you this is all real, and that you've become a strong person."
Joan looked down, regarding Kotomi not as a student. But right now, as an equal.
"And that it's been an honor to be with you, with Ami, with Yuuko, with James, with Marie, with Elizabeta, and with everyone."
no subject
- I'm - I'm glad you think I'm worth being called "sama".
And I'm glad I met Ami-chan, and Yuuko-san, and James-san, and Marie-chan, and Elizabeta-san, and Gilbert-san, and Retsuko-san, and my AU Parents, and the Bakery people, and Ami-chan's friends, and many, many other people too.
Plus, I'm really glad my friends from my home world turned up here, as well.
[But then, Kotomi took a deep breath.]
And I'm really really glad I met you, John-san and Joan-san, but -
[Joan stared, sweatdropping, then, as Kotomi grabbed both Joan's cheeks with both hands.]
...But Joan-san? You're my friend, right?
[And then, Kotomi growled - ]
- And all my friends call me "Kotomi-chan". Okaaay???
[Squeeze squeeze squeeze!]
[Yuuko leaned over to them, giggling. Joan blinked as she smelled the fruitly scent of bubbly rice wine.]
...But Kotomi-chaaan! What if you grew up and became a very very important and high ranked person, and everybody had to call you "Kotomi-sama", whether they wanted to or not?
[Kotomi looked at her, then, and sniffed, wiping her eyes.]
...Yuuko-san is a meanie!
[But then, she let go of Joan's cheeks, and hiccuped again.]
.......Joan-saaan! And John-san too!
I'm not a very very important and high-ranked person for now, right? And you're my friend, right?
[And then, Kotomi gave Joan a drunken hug.]
- So - So just call me Kotomi-chan. As long as possible. OK, Joan-san and John-san?
no subject
The honorific only made Kotomi angrier, as she squeezed at Joan's cheeks. She was a tiny thing compared to the senshi, perhaps a little wider. But she commanded Joan not to use the honorific 'sama' on her! Those tiny hands had a bigger effect than she expected!
"--at least stop drinking for now...!" Joan managed to blurt out, until Yuuko came to assist her. She finally took the time to rub her own cheeks. But when Kotomi instead threw herself against her arms... Joan instead held her. Nested her against her chest...
... and, remember how she was treated upon returning home. People assuming he was a superior being for the things he had seen.
Suddenly, Joan understood. The isolation of being treated as someone above everyone, when they were just people that did what they could under extreme circumstances. The fact both of them were offered high positions of power to be treated as demigods, rather than simply acknowledging they did their duty, only made them feel more alone.
Joan smiled, and cradled Kotomi. She hugged her tightly, letting her rest against her chest.
"I will," Joan pet Kotomi's purple head. For someone that was an adult, a courageous heroine, a Doctor that understood the multiverse better than most here, and the smartest person to ever live from her world, Kotomi still liked to be treated as a child. She then brought Kotomi up, and softly cleaned her face.
"Now come on," Joan cupped Kotomi's face, "what did you plan on singing about?"
She then glanced up at the stage, "I think I'm going to need a lot of sake for my turn, though."
no subject
...On the other hand...
[And then, she pulled Joan's hand, giggling.]
- We can - We can sing "The Great Dango Family" together!
[And then, she looked up at Joan, and hiccupped again.]
...You know that song, right?
[Kotomi reached up, and patted Joan's head, then.]
- You and John-san can be one of those dangos with 2 different types of dango on a stick - Sweet and savory.
Ha ha ha!
The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
[So did Marisa, a half eaten rice cracker still in her mouth.]
...Um....You want to...What?
[Reimu said, eventually.]
- We want to have a real New Years Party, with all our kith and kin and vassals and all, is what I said.
And in the early spring, which is the proper time to have a New Years Celebration.
[And then, there was a sigh.]
You are our Shrine Maiden, are you not, Hakurei Reimu?
[And then, one of the male voices chimed in.]
...Yeah, yeah, why on earth did you mortal folk suddenly decided that the New Years was supposed to be in the middle of winter, anyway?
It's supposed to be a celebration to mark the end of winter!
I mean, the herbs to put in the Nanakusa-gayu don't even grow in the middle of the winter, right?
[And then, the second male voice sighed.]
...Or that's what it was supposed to be, anyway...
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
“ it’s the Hakurei Gods.” ( Reimu responded.) “ they want me to throw this big, special new year’s party in the early spring.”
“ early spring, huh. Why that far away?”
“ they said that is when new year’s should be held. And there is a lot of rituals and stuff to prepare for it.” ( Reimu gave a slight groan of annoyance.)
“ well, least that gives you time to prepare for it.”
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (1)
[Reimu spent some time, then, looking through her ancesters' old journals.]
...So the last time we had a "proper" New Years Party was in my grandmother's day, it seems.
There's all this stuff about some really special sake infused with the holy powers of the Gods, and having to prepare all kinds of food and gifts...
[That was when there was a rustle from behind the doors to the inner parts of the Shrine, and a female voice spoke out.]
Oh, yes, the special sake! You'd better get that ready first - It takes time to imbibe those things with Our Holy Powers, after all...
[Reimu looked at the doors, and sighed.]
...So how do I get that special sake?
[And then, she sighed again.]
- And how much of it do you need for this party, anyway?
[There was more rustling, then.]
We only need about a small keg or a large bottle's worth of the really special sake, but we need it soon.
[One of the male Gods said - And then, there was a pause.]
...And we also need lots of other kinds of drinks to mix the really special sake in. Our Miko's usually just added a couple of drops to a big keg - It's much too potent to be drunken as is, as a general rule, you see...
[Reimu rubbed her head, then.]
...OK, I got it. One small keg or large bottle of the very special sake, check.
[And then, she paused.]
Wait. What did you - Um, my ancesters - usually mix it with?
...That depends - Usually, they just mixed it with whatever alchohol the locals sent us as tribute, I think? Sometimes it was clear rice wine, but most of the time, it was some kind of homebrew.
[There was a giggle, then, and the second male voice spoke up.]
...You shouldn't forget the amazake, though...Woman and children love that stuff, right? And some of the oldsters and priests and priestesses prefered various kinds of herb teas, I think...
[Reimu sighed, then.]
...Some kind of alchoholic drink, preferably more then one. Amazake. Herb teas.
[Marisa nodded at that.]
If herb teas are OK, fruit juices probably are OK, too, right?
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (2)
Hello! Ladies and gents of the Hakurei Shrine - I have a special delivery for you!
[It's James, and he has a box with the Antique Bakery logo on it, ha ha ha - ]
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (2)
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
[Marisa came over, then, and looked into the cake box too. She blushed a bit, as she realized what the little edible figures were supposed to be.]
...Um. I didn't order this either, Reimu?
[Aand that was when there was a chuckle from inside the Shrine!]
...I ordered that cake for you and your friend, dear Shrine Maiden of mine - Ho ho ho...
[The main goddess of the Shrine said. And then, the sevant gods snickered a bit.]
Oh, come on, Lady, you didn't order it all by yourself -
We were the ones who figured out where this "Antique Bakery" was and how to order that wonderfully nice looking cake, after all!
[James chuckled at that.]
...Wellll, Mr Tachibana and his employees were a bit surprised to have a tiny little shikigami glowing with holy energies turn up with a order, but this is City *****, after all.
[And then, James looked at Reimu and Marisa, and leaned over to them, whispering.]
- The little shikigami did not bring the money to pay for the cake, though, however, soo...
[Reimu and Marisa looked at each other then, and sweatdropped.]
...Ooops. Is it payable by Phone?
[Marisa whispered. James nodded with a smile, and made the Antique Bakery logo pop up over his World Tree Phone.]
Yes, of course!
[Aand that was when Reimu went red, and came up to them.]
...No, no, I'm the Shrine Maiden, I should be the one who pays this...
[Marisa looked at her, and became all red again.]
- But the goddess and the gods got it for both of us, right?
[And then, she took a deep breath, and looked back at James.]
...We'll both pay half. That's doable, right?
[James grinned at that.]
No problem! This particular cake is a 3500 Points, including the delivery charge, by the way...
[Marisa and Reimu both nodded at that.]
...That's a bargain for a christmas cake this size!
[Marisa said, grinning.]
- Plus, it's the Antique Bakery, and they have a really good reputation. I've been wanting to try their cakes for such a long time...
[Reimu added with a smile.]
[And so they both paid the money for the cake via their Phones.]
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
[the gods just snickered knowingly] "This game is for you and Marisa chan to share, reimu dearie."
"You can just repay us by leaving a peace on the altar. We would love to taste some of the cake too!"
"It does look so delicious."
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
[Reimu said with a smile - And then, she got three small plates, and carefully cut three pieces off the cake, and arranged them nicely on the plates.]
[Aand that was when Marisa blinked and grinned!]
...No, wait - Cakes with tea are much better then cakes just by themselve, right?
So if you have tea...
[Reimu laughed at that.]
...Of course I have tea, Marisa! I even have about 3 kinds of western teas in the cupboard now, since you love them so much...
[And then, she got a bit red as she realized what she'd just said.]
[Marisa just giggled at that, and then went and brewed a big pot full of ceylong tea.]
[Reimu, in the meanwhile, had looked around the ceremonial cabinet, and taken out 3 thimble sized cups.]
...Yes, here they are!
[But then, she slowly blinked, and looked into the cabinet.]
- We have nowhere near enough plates and cups and other kinds of utensils for a big party, do we?
[Marisa sighed at that, and then, she smiled and whipped out a notebook.]
...OK, let's write that down. Needed - Plates and cups for the party!
[Reimu nodded at that - and then, she filled the 3 small cups with unsweetened tea, and places them on the alter, alongside the 3 small plates with the cake pieces on it.]
- Please do enjoy our offerings, deities...
[She said, and said a short prayer, remembering how her mother had taught her how to do this.]
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
“ thank you Marisa.”
( the two best friends ate thier cake and drank the tea. It was a very delicious cake indeed!)
“ it’s gonna be a busy day tomorrow for me. Heck even when I go home after this. “ ( she wiped some crumbs off of Reimu’s cheek) “ I gotta help Mum prepare for Yule. Yule starts tomorrow night.” ( there were the special plants to gather, foods to prepare, decorations and the altar to put up, not to mention a thorough cleaning of the home like as in Japanese New Year. And there was a lot of cleaning to do in Marisa’s untidy cottage)
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (1)
[Reimu said, and then, she smiled at Marisa. Rituals which were passed on from one's Ancesters were important, after all.]
- I hope you have fun doing things with your mother, Marisa.
[Aand that was when Marisa paused!]
...You know, Reimu? Since you probably have to go shopping anyway, and so do I...
Why don't we just go on a shopping expedition today, together? I mean, just a short one - I have to get back to Mom's cottage by sunset, after all.
[Reimu grinned at that.]
...You know, Marisa? That's a really good idea!
[And so the two girls got ready, and went off to City *****'s Merchant District.]
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (2)
[There was a big holo banner waving on top of the Shop today.]
Special Winter Holiday Seasonal Sale : Advice for just 3000 Points!
[And in small text -]
The Advice will be worth 3000 Points, no more, no less.
[...Huh.]
[Marisa and Reimu both looked at the waving holo banner, and tilted their heads.]
[...This was...different.]
[Aand that was when Sumomo caught sight of them!]
[The Cat Girl waved her paw hands, looking happy indeed.]
...Hiya, Reimu-chan, Marisa-chan! World Tree decided we were having a sale, it seems, ha ha ha.
So what do you think? Yuuko will be giving you advice, for just 3000 Points!
[Sumomo lowered her voice, then, and pointed to the banner.]
...I suggest you two do read the small text, though, because that part is important.
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (2)
"Hey, we got more than enough for that!" [Marisa grinned, checking her wallet] "What do you think, reimu? been a while since we visited Yuuko-san! We should go and say hi to her! hey, maybe we got some burning questions!"
[Reimu shrugged] "I guess so. If you want, Marisa."
[So Marisa and Reimu followed Sumomo to Yuuko's]
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (1)
[Yuuko was in an outfit that looked like a stereotypical Fortune Teller's costume today, veil and all - And she smiled as she saw Reimu and Marisa.]
...Why, hello, Marisa-chan, Reimu-chan!
[Marisa grinned as she went up to Yuuko.]
- Long time no see, Yuuko-san!
[Reimu, in the meanwhile, was looking at bit antsy about the entire situation.]
...Uh, it's good to see you, Yuuko-san, but I'm not sure I can afford to pay your fees this time -
[And then, she remembered the Deities of her Shrine, and the big Old New Years Party they wanted to throw, and sighed.]
- I'm going to be needing quite a bit of money soon, I'm afraid, you see...
[Yuuko grinned at that.]
- Oh, yes - You need some of the special sake, right?
I can tell you -
[Aand that was when a red and black zig-zag of energy came flashing out of nowhere and hit Yuuko's arm!]
...Ouch. Darn, that hasn't happened to me in a while...
[Yuuko said, rubbing at her arm.]
[Marisa and Reimu, in the meanwhile, was staring at her, sweatdropping.]
...That was very...weird. I think.
[Marisa said, eventually, while Reimu nodded alongside her.]
- I never saw the Fabric of Reality actually come over and zap somebody directly before, I must admit.
[And then, she looked at Yuuko's arm, and sighed.]
...Does that happened often?
[Yuuko chuckled a bit as she looked at Marisa and Reimu's expressions.]
.....Oh, no. I used to get zapped all the time when I was new to the Wish Granting business, but that was a long time ago.
[And then, she turned toward Reimu.]
- So directly telling you how to get the special sake is out, apparently, but I can give you quite a bit of advice anyway, I do believe...
[Reimu thought about that for a few moments, and then took out her World Tree Phone.]
...It's 3000 Points, right, Yuuko-san?
[Yuuko nodded at that, and took out her own Phone too.]
[Sumomo came in with some tea cups filled with black tea and spice cookies on a tray, then.]
...OK, you should sit at the same table with Yuuko, while Marisa-chan should sit on the sofa, I think!
[Sumomo's voice was bright, but her expression was a bit brittle, Marisa thought. And then, she remembered the red and black zig-zag that had came out of nowhere, and sighed.]
- Sure, sure.
[Marisa said, and sat down on the sofa. Sumomo quickly served the tea and cakes to Yuuko and Reimu, and then served Marisa, too.]
[Reimu sat at the table, facing Yuuko, then, and took a sip of the tea.]
...Yuuko-san. I will appreciate it if you could give me as much advice as possible about things I need to know about the Old New Years Party that the Deities of my Shrine want to do. I accept that the worth of the advice will be 3000 Points, no more or no less, and that there are probably many things that you can't tell me.
[Sumomo sighed a bit, then, seeming to be a bit relieved, Marisa noted.]
[Yuuko nodded at Reimu's words, and then took out a piece of beautiful Japanese paper and a brush-pen.]
...I think it would be better if I wrote this down, all right?
[And then, she carefully wrote some things down on the paper, waited until the ink was dry, and handed it to Reimu.]
(1)Go to the Winter Gifts Section at the World Tree Department Store and go through the whole section, carefully. You will find things, people and beings that will be useful to your quest there.
(2)If you find something that might be useful, I suggest you buy the biggest set, or it'll be sold out before you know it!
(3) Try asking Marisa-chan's father what his grandparents and other relatives used to do for the Hakurei Shrine before New Years.
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (2)
...Huh. I had no idea that Marisa's father's family had used to be involved in the Hakurei Shrine's matters...
[Marisa blinked when she heard that, and came up to the table Yuuko and Reimu were sitting at.]
...Show me that, please?
[She read it, slowly blinking.]
- Huh. I had no idea, either.
[And then, she looked through the rest of Yuuko's advice.]
......Is there a time limit to when we should go to this Winter Gifts Fair?
[Yuuko smiled at that.]
- Today or tommorow will be best, I think.
[Marisa nodded at that.]
Or else, the stuff Reimu needs will be all sold out, probably?
[And then, she looked at Yuuko and Sumomo.]
...Hey. Is it OK if I come back later for the advice? I haven't quite decided what to ask, you see...and I have the strange feeling that I might want to ask you about some things later on.
[Yuuko and Sumomo looked at each other, then.]
...If you pay now, you can ask for any advice you like as long as it's still the Winter Holiday Season, Marisa-chan.
[Yuuko said eventually.]
- Just once, of course.
...OK, I get it.
[Marisa said, and then, she took out her Phone, and paid the 3000 Points.]
[Marisa and Reimu went directly to the World Tree Department Store after that.]
...So this place is run by the same people who run the World Tree Mart, right?
[Reimu said with a smile as they walked through the brightly busling Department Store.]
- Yes, yes, but the stuff sold here is much more fancier, and more expensive, of course!
[Marisa laughed - And then, they reached the Winter Gifts Fair section.]
.....Oh, my - So much stuff!
[Marisa gasped, while Reimu just sighed.]
- Everything looks really nice, but on the other hand - It's so pricy!
[She went off to look at a display filled with fancy paper plates and bowls, then.]
Look, even the paper plates cost -
[And then, she slowly blinked, as she realized that a part of the display was filled with very elegant looking Japanese-style paper plates, bowls and cups, along with wooden and bamboo utensils.]
.......Ohhhh. Those look nice.
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine! (2)
"You know I can't afford anything of fine material." [EReimu rolled her eyes, looking through the sets. ]
"so you're going to take care of everythin' yourself?" [Marisa shrugged.]
"well, it's my duty, after all. This is going to be a very special occasion."
"I know, I know."
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
...Still - It's...Paper.
[And then, she sighed.]
Maybe I should ask the Deities first? I mean - It'll totally be a waste of money if they didn't like it...
[Aand that was when there was a chuckle!]
...Oh, I think it'll be all right, Miko-sama - Your Ancesters used to bring offerings wrapped in leaves, all the time, after all!
[Reimu blinked, then, and looked down. A young-looking Kitsune was looking up at her, smiling.]
- This is for the big party being planned at the Hakurei Shrine, right?
[Reimu sweatdropped, then.]
...Um. How did you know? They didn't send any invitations out yet, right?
[The Kitsune Boy chuckled again.]
- Not yet, I don't think, but my family has ways of knowing things like that, Ma'am.
[Reimu looked at the Kitsune, and then back at the large sets of elegant Japanese style paper plates, bowls, cups and bamboo and wooden utensils.]
...I'll buy it!
[But then, she looked at the prices, and sweatdropped.]
- Um. Uwaa, it's expensive, isn't it...
[Aand that was when Marisa giggled!]
...Hey, Reimu - I wouldn't mind paying for half of that fancy looking set, just this once.
[She pointed a finger at Reimu, then.]
- Well, just as long as you owe me a favor for this, that is - Ho ho ho!
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
"A favor, huh. what kind of favor?" [she shrugged] "are you going to test out spells and potions on me?"
"Nah, ya know I can do it on myself and fairies." [marisa sniggered and poked her nose.] "buuut, I'm sure I can come up with somethin' special to be you favor to me, ze!"
[Reimu rolled her eyes] "Fine. I'll accept your offer."
"neat!"
[the two best friends picked up the plates and rest of the items needed for the celebration.]
"Ok,, now what?"
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
...Well, I have to go home now - My Mom's preparing for Yule, after all!
[Reimu groaned.]
- Oh, right. Sorry for taking up so much of your time, Marisa...
[Marisa grinned at that.]
......Reimuuu! You're my friend - And times spent with good friends are always worth it, OK?
[And so they said goodbye, and Reimu went home to the Shrine, carrying the very big package. The plate sets weren't heavy, but they did block her line of sight...]
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
“ it looks like you found some of the items that you needed, reimu chan!”
“ i found some of them. “ ( reimu nodded) “ it sure was expensive though”
( meanwhile, marisa arrived back home at her cottage in the forest of magic. Meridia there, was continuing to set up for Yule )
“ sorry i’m late, mum! I was helpin Reimu set up for a special New Years thing”
Re: The Old New Years Party At The Hakurei Shrine!
[The Deities giggled, then, as she showed the the very big box of elegant Japanese style paper plates and bamboo and wooden utensils.]
Oh, those things look very nice indeed.
[The main goddess said, chuckling.]
You chose well, our Miko!
[At Meridia's House]
...Oh, right, I heard that - They're doing something special for the Old New Years this time, right?
[Meridia said with a smile.]
[Marisa nodded at that - And then, she blinked.]
...Yuuko-san said I should talk to Papa about that, for some reason.
[Meridia blinked at that.]
- She did?
[Marisa nodded.]
...She said I should ask my Papa what his family used to do to help out with the Hakurei Shrine's New Years celebations, back in the day, I think?
The Nutcracker Office Christmas Party
[Junko was racing around from room to room, checking things madly.]
...Come on, Junko, just calm down and let the caterers do their job, OK?
[Tomohisa said with a smile, and gave her a hug.]
...No, no, I can't calm down, District Director Arimoto is coming!
[And then, she sighed, and plopped down on the sofa.]
I never thought she would actually come, even though I sent her a invitation - She's usually really busy, after all...
[Madoka, in the meanwhile, was holding Tatsuya and sweatdropping.]
[So were Homura and the rest of her friends, though they weren't holding Tatsuya, of course.]
...This is a Reality Wave, right?
[Sayaka said, hesitantly.]
- I mean, I can't imagine your Mom wanting to host a office party at your home if she was her, um, normal self...
Re: The Nutcracker Office Christmas Party
tattsuya giggled and patted Junko's head] "Doing good, Mama!"
[Junko smiled up at her children] "Thanks, sweeties."
Re: The Nutcracker Office Christmas Party
...But, um, Madoka - If the Office Christmas Party had been in the schedule for such a long time, why did you plan to have our Christmas Party on the very same...day...?
[However, Madoka had walked up to her mother by then, and was giving her a hug, saying comforting things.]
[Mami came up to Sayaka and shook her head, then.]
...Sometimes, you just have to go with the flow, Sayaka-chan.
- Yeah, yeah...
[Sayaka said, and turned toward Nagisa and Kyouko.]
...OK, all of you - We have to be on our best behavior, all right?
Important people from Madoka's Mom's company are coming over for this party, after all!
[But then, Sayaka sweatdropped even more, as she realized that Kyouko and Nagisa had already swiped some food from the tables the caterers were using to put their food on before they set them on the tables prepared for the party.]
...This cheese is so gooood, Kyouko-Nee!
[Nagisa said, laughing. So did Kyouko.]
- Yeah, yeah, so are those meat ball and egg sandwiches!
[Nagisa and Kyouko both turned toward Sayaka, then.]
...Yeah, yeah, we'll both be on our best behavior, don't worry!
[Kyouko said with a grin, while Nagisa nodded, wiping bits of food off her mouth.]
Re: The Nutcracker Office Christmas Party
[Mami chuckled and tutted scoldingly] "My my, it seems a little sweet mouse has already gotten into the cheese." [she took a napkin and wiped the crumbs off nagisa's round cheek"
[Kyoukorolled her eye and pouted] "fine, but let us finish the food at least! ya know we can't let it go to waste!"
Re: The Nutcracker Office Christmas Party
[Sayaka mock-sighed.]
You can finish the sandwich, but do it in a hurry, OK?
- Okaydokie!
[Kyouko cheerfully stuffed the rest of the sandwich into her mouth.]
[Mami, in the meanwhile, had taken up one of the food tongs, and was trying to rearrage the cheese plate and the sandwich plate so the gaps that Nagisa and Kyouko had created were not quite as obvious.]
...Mami. Do you think that would really work?
[The AU Kyubey said from on top of one of the sofas, giggling.]
Re: The Nutcracker Office Christmas Party
“ thank yiu, mami! It looks great!” “ ( madoka smiled. Homura smiled too. She wondered when would be the best time to give madoka her special christnas present...)
Re: The Nutcracker Office Christmas Party
...Long time no see, Junko-san!
[A somewhat roly-polly woman with thick makeup said, coming up to Junko.]
- Ohhhhh, Yukiko-san! You made it!
[Junko said, sounding actually happy.]
[And then, she turned toward Madoka.]
...Madoka, come here! You remember Yukiko-san, right?
[Madoka went toward her Mom, then, though she couldn't figure out who the woman was at all.]
- H- Hello, Ma'am! It's good to meet you?
[She said, sweatdropping. The woman was vaguely familiar, to be sure...but...]
[The woman, in the meanwhile, was grinning at Madoka.]
...Ohh, Madoka-chan, you look so grown up, now -
[And then, somebody else came through the door, and called for her mother, who went off for a wave. The chubby woman waved at her mom, and then leaned toword Madoka.]
- Hey, Madoka-chan! Your Daddy is all right now, right? Since he came out of the hospital? I mean, I heard he's supposed to be a househusband now, and in charge of the housework, but...
[She whispered. Madoka blinked, then, as a image of a somewhat younger version of the woman flickered through her mind.]
("Darn it, Madoka-chan, could you please try to clean up after yourself at least!? Your Mom is not paying me enough for this, she really isn't. Seriously.")
[Yes, yes, she remembered now - Her Papa had been in the hospital because he'd become ("sick in the head") all depressed and everything after he lost his job, and her Mom had been really busy because the company she was working at was losing money and it was really touch and go for a time. This was a long time ago, of course, before Tatsuya had been born, but...]
[Madoka shook her head, then, beating the dark memories back.]
......Daddy is fine now, Yukiko-Obachan. He'd been fine for years, even before we came to City *****.
[And then, she took a deep breath, and whispered some more.]
...And Obachan? Don't make fun of him for being a househusband, OK?
He's doing a good job, really!
[Yukiko looked at Madoka, and sighed, then.]
...I get it, I get it. Hey, I'm not gonna make fun of him - I mean, your Mom is earning more then enough for the two of them, so if she's OK with him being a househusband, it's really not anybody else's business, right.
- I mean, having a husband who actually does the housework and takes care of the kids is much better then having one of those useless deadweight hubbies who just give up and lie around the house all day getting drunk because they can't find another job, that's for sure...
[Yukiko gave Madoka a quick hug, then.]
......It's good to see you're OK, hon.