1103/The games we play!

The games we play!
Date of Scene:	10 February 2024
Location:	Four Clover Mall
Synopsis:	After the recent... accident in their home, Dianora and Hinoiri go with Usagi to replace some of their lost games. As well as a little bonus... stuffies!
Cast of Characters:	Hinoiri Kirara, Usagi Tsukino, Double Trouble

---

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara was there with Dianora. Who Hinoiri insisted 'wasn't her little sister'. And who Dianora insisted 'Was her little sister'. Considering that she'd driven them both up here on her bike and that one of the first things she'd done was buy her an orange julius, well... It was debatable who was correct.

Dianora. Dianora was correct.

But Usagi was on her way, Hinoiri and Dianora were late! It came with motorcycle. Also, with Hinoiri's competitive challenge of google maps. Because HA, as if she was going to let a little thing like 'speed limits' stop her. Don't be silly.

She had her phone out and was texting Usagi...

'Any trouble finding the place? We're by the food court, the cool chick with the leather jacket and the squirt drinking an orange julius.'

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi had taken the bus, like most reasonable high school students would. It means she arrives at the mall about exactly when she expected to which is... on time but now im search of her friends!

Hinoiri-chan! And her cute little sister who did not know Usagi Tsukino, and had only met Sailor Moon that one time!

By the time she reaches the food court and Hinoiri and Dianora, she has a creme brulee crepe in hand. It's exactly what it sounds like.

"Heyyyyy! Hinoiri-chan!!"

She walks over, not willing to run and risk dropping the creme brulee. "Dia-chan! It's good to meet you!"

Double Trouble has posed:
The little squirt has a much more...pink...aesthetic than her big sis. A pink dress with white tights and black black mary janes with a pink bow holding back her long black hair. She looks every bit the part of little sister. Especially how she holds onto Hinoiri's hand as they walk through the mall and looks up at her adoringly.

When she's not tugging at her hand toward one shop or another.

But right now? Right now she's got a sweet treat, so she's happy and docile, standing near the food court drinking her orange julius, which she's holding with both hands. Hinoiri got her the biggest size.

When Usagi approaches, Dianora's eyes light up and she says, "Hii! Usagi-chan! I'm so excited to meet you finally."

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara glanced over and couldn't help but snicker when she saw Usagi. A creme brulee crepe. It seemed her little sister and her gaming mentor had something in common, a love of snacks. She gave a small nod. "Yup. Dianora Lagorio, this is Usagi Tsukino, Usagi-chan to most everyone. Usagi-chan, this is my roommate. You can call her Dee-chan if you like. It's easier that way," she said before lightly patting the kid on the head.

"Don't let her adorableness fool you, she's pure evil," Hinoiri said. Despite the 'mean' works... there was real, genuine affection in her tone.

"So, you're the expert on this stuff, which shop do you think we should hit up first?"

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Dianora is absolutely adorable, from her pink bow to her little black mary janes. Usagi barely resists cooing in delight, because Shingo hated that kind of thing, so Dia-chan probably feels the same way.

"I'm excited too! I can't believe Hinoiri-chan had such a cute little sister hidden away somewhere!" Shehe has a spoon, and uses it to eat a little of the creme brulee as it jiggles. "It's the job of little siblings to be pure evil," she says happily, "My brother is the worst, and I bet Dia-chan is much nicer than him."

Spinning in a slow circle, she looks around at all their options... "Do you want vintage or modern? That will tell us where to start first! There's Omega Toys on the west end, for vintage games and consoles, trade-ins and accessories, and there's Gameration Rex at the south end, that has all the latest."

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora makes the most perfect, innocent, angel face when Hinoiri says she's pure evil. How could such a cute, adorable girl be anything but innocent and good and beyond all reproach? "Onee-chan, you're just saying that because you don't have your own room any more," she says, and then she takes one last long slurp of her drink, draining the bottom third that was left.

The older girls start discussing where to go and Dianora skips off toward a nearby trashcan, then comes back and just grabs hold of Hinoiri's hand.

"My vote is for Build a Bear. Mine got burnt up when our old room exploded," she says.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara sighed and gave a small nod. "In that case I'd say that Dianora here is an expert at maintaining the status quo. And... eh. I guess. Your brother seemed fine when I met him. Though I swore he was following me around when we came by on new years. Probably my imagination," she said with a shrug.

"Uhhhhh... is there... a big difference? Between vintage and modern? I guess the big thing I want is... mmm... challenging?" Offff course. Hinoiri, never happy unless she was being challenged. And possibly broken. "I guess multiplayer is useful, too. Something I can throw Dee-chan at an will buy me some free time."

However, when Dianora mentioned not having her own room anymore, oh, *that* earned a glare from Hinoiri. A legitimate glare. She did not like having her space... invaded, as it were. However, that glare faded quickly once Dee-chan came back and... she sighed. "Yeah... we... lost a lot in that..." Hinoiri said softly, managing to look a little guilty and... even... saddened. she'd snapped. She could have really hurt Dianora then.

"Sorry, Usagi-chan. Mind if we swing by build-a-bear too? Otherwise she'll insist on holding my hands the whole time. A doll will keep her occupied, at least."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi rolls her eyes at the reminder, "Oh, he definitely was. He think you and Mamochan have the coolest jackets, and Papa says he's been bugging him to get him one too. Papa won't of course, he'll outgrow it in like two months and then what would we do with it? Sorry if he was bugging you - he told me he can't believe that I know people as cool as you."

How absolutely insulting!!!

"Vintage games are sometimes harder, because they were like, inventing gaming! And modern games are sometimes a lot easier, because they want to appeal to a lot of people... but vintage games are more expensive too, because they don't make the originals anymore. Buuuut you can find really cool stuff that isn't available anymore too!"

Like Mother 3!

The mood takes an obvious somber turn, but Dianora's request is an excuse to brighten the day.

"Oh, yes! Build A Bear is on the west end, so we can go there and then you can see vintage games, and we'll see if you like anything!"

Double Trouble has posed:
Silly Hinoiri thinking a stuffie would keep Dianora from clinging to her like a barnacle. It would, at least, buy her a little time where Dianora was being totally adorable while building the bear. That activity takes both hands, after all.

But that's on the other side of the mall. For now she bounces on her toes and claps,which is challenging because she's holding Hinoiri's hand, so it's like a hand sandwich clapping. "Yay! Build-a-Bear!" Oh she's so easy to please.

Usagi absolutely could have cooed. She would have loved that.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara gave a shrug. "Eh. It was a bit a annoying, but I guess I just have that effect on kids. Seems a bit weird to me, I never particularly liked them." Pause. Glanced towards Dia. "Well. Most of them. I guess this gremlin is growing on me. Like a fungus," Hinoiri said with most exhaustion.

She started walking, letting Dianora drag her along. She glanced towards Usagi's snack... the MOMENT it was gone, she was going to try and send the kid over there. Make her jump on Usagi for a bit! Mwa ha ha ha ha!

For now, though...

"Vintage sounds good. I was trying some of the online stuff a bit before our home... exploded." Her hand tightened, just a smidge, around Dianora's. Protective, perhaps? Or maybe slightly worried.

"So, how many of these are we getting? Because keep in mind the console is going to take a big chunk out of the budget," she warned Dianora.

... Because honestly? She did expect she'd be footing the bill for all of this.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The creme brulee is somehow entirely gone now. The crepe itself is half gone. Soon, Usagi will be plagued by the cutest younger sister in the building!

"Great! I know you like challenges, but I really think you'll like roleplaying games too - the story adds to the challenge, because it's not just about destroying the next enemy, it's destroying your personal enemy! The one who destroyed your town or killed your father or like, threatens your world, or something." So many variations on destruction of lives! But she really does think that Final Fantasy 7 and 9 and Persona 3 will really appeal to Hinoiri!

After Build A Bear, of course. "Online games are really fun, but you meet a lot of toxic players. If you don't let on you're a girl, you'll have a better time." Sage advice. "Now! To Build a Bear! Dee-chan, what kind of friend do you want to make today?"

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio is listening. Really she is. Even if it doesn't look like it as she drags Hinoiri toward the Build-a-Bear at the west end of the mall. She's always listening.

So when Usagi talks about how the RPG games make things more personal with story, of course Dianora turns around with her eyes wide. How do you make her love something? You either make it cute or dramatic. It's best when it's both, like her. "Do you get to act like your character?"

But then Usagi is asking her the most important question, and Dianora has an answer ready. "I want a unicorn!"

Oh yes, they have unicorns at Build-a-Bear.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara gave a light groan. "Ehhhhh. Dee-chan here is all about the acting and performance stuff. She's 'going to be a star!'"

Of course Hinoiri said that in the mocking, Dianora tone...

... Of course, Hinoiri remembered it and got it right. Because she always listened to her little sister's performances. Even if she teased them sometimes.

"I honestly prefer the more competitive games. There's something thrilling about getting your adversary to scream and rage out on the opposite side of the screen. Though... huh. Does being a girl cause that much of an issue? It... makes sense, I guess. At least now I can understand some of the comments I've gotten... part of the reason I'm not a huge fan of the team modes. What's the point if you have to drag a whole team around with you?"

However, the 'want a unicorn' just made her cock an eye and give Dianora a look. "Oh, great. A unicorn. There is going to be so much glitter, isn't there? I can feel it. All the way to my bones," Hinoiri said in a playful, somewhat mocking tone again.

"Come on, let's see if they have some unicorns. Personally? I liked the dragon ones more. They had a cute chameleon one I almost snagged before... with big, razor edged teeth. Rawr!" She did a mock biting towards Dianora, a grin on her lips. Then glanced towards Usagi. "How about you? I'm guessing... the obvious answer is bunny or cat. So I'm guessing... stuffed dog, right? With big, floppy ears."

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara was grinning as they walked into the build-a-bear... only for her phone to go off. She made a small grumbling noise before pulling it out. A fire symbol was on it. Slow, deep breath. "I need to take this. Dia-chan, here," she said, pulling out her wallet, she pulled out a cash card and slid it over. "Keep it reasonable," she told her, firmly. "Usagi-chan? Can you watch her for a bit? Thanks, get yourself something too, sorry!"

Then answered the phone and pulled back, out of the store and... "What are you talk-- slow down. What? How in the... no, why would you put a lid on it? What? Of course it's going to--" And then she was out of range.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Dee-chan's sudden interest is surprising but flattering, especially considering the younger girl is guiding them both towards Build A Bear with the speed of a precision guided missile. "Of course you get to act as your character! American RPGs are kind of boring to me, because you make up your own character and stuff, but *our* RPGs almost always have you step into someone else's life, and make decisions based on their personality, and shape the story! In a lot of newer ones you can build relationships and change the story based on your love," she chomps the last of her crepe and wipes her hands on a napkin, tossing it in a nearby bin.

"If you're going to be a star, you'd love those games!" And she side eyes Hinoiri, thinking through her competitive spirit and grimacing, "Yeah, because a lot of original gamers were boys, cause it wasn't ladylike or whatever. Video games still have a ton of loser guys who are jerks about getting beat by a girl - sometimes they get flirty and sometimes they get gross, but usually it's like... not fun that's for sure. I'm known as a girl gamer in my circles, so I just put up with new players... You might like Overwatch! All the characters have different play styles to master, and it's free to play now, so if you don't like it, you haven't lost anything."

Nod, nod. "Unicorn's are super cute, of course you want one. And glitter is a girl's best friend!"

They enter Build a Bear, which is a realm of colorful and exciting possibilities... And Hinoiri's phone rings.
"Eh? I mean - sure, no problem -" she calls to Hinoiri's retreating back.

"So. Dee-chan. Want to... Start?"

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio listens to Usagi as she talks about the differences between American and Japanese RPGs. Which sets her to thinking about the trip she and Hinoiri went on over Christmas. "Americans are so weird," she says. "They don't really seem to think about others as much."

Of course nobody thinks about others as much as Dianora. She's always analyzing everyone so that she can be them in a pinch. But it's not like she'd say that. That's not something cute and innocent, and Dianora is definitely those things. She's not evil. Nooooo.

Hinoiri gets a phone call and lets go of her hand to walk of and discuss something more urgent than Dianora's stuffie. The little girl pouts, but only for a moment, because Usagi is still here and she's definitely friend-shaped.

So Dianora grabs her hand, and drags her toward the station where they can build their stuffies. "She may say she likes the dragon or chameleon stuffies better, but she was always stealing my unicorn stuffy before. So, that's what I'm going to make."

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
"I think so too! Amy-chan is the only American I can actually know, and she does care about what people think - or at least like, think about it a lot - but from what I see, Americans are really like, independent? So their RPGs are more making your own story. They're weird. I love their food portions though!"

Yes, yes she did.

When her hand is grabbed, she squeezes back, ready fond. "Don't worry! Hinoiri-chan will be back before you know it. Let's make a really cute unicorn she won't be able to resist stealing away!"

Double Trouble has posed:
Everybody on Earth is weird as far as Dianora is concerned, but it's not like she can say that. She's just a girl from Tuscany, not a shapeshifting alien from another world. She has to stay in character.

"Yes we will! I saw it online. It's got sparkly hooves and rainbow fur and we're going to make it so cute, just like me!" With that last bit she turns and grins at Usagi real big. She knows she's cute and she clearly is not afraid to wield that power. Oh she's evil. But also innocent and beyond reproach!

One of the employees brings over the base unicorn Dianora requested, and she starts to go about the business of putting it together. Adding her own personal touches. "So, what kind of stuffy do you want, Usagi-chan?"

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara would make a note of this 'overwatch'. It sounded... fun. Possibly. Either way, though, the phone call took longer than she would have liked, but she was walking back before long, clicking her phone off. "Sorry about that. It wasn't a huge problem, but it could turn into one if they didn't have me deal with it. Apparently 'only call me if there is an emergency' requires more direction than I'd have thought. Life of intern work, right? Well... at least it's paid," Hinoiri said, rolling her eyes.

Then she saw the unicorn. She blinked a few times before giving a low groan. "Oh dear heavens. That thing looks like a unicorn made of rainbow cotton candy, I hope she wasn't too much of a hassle for you, Usagi."

She glanced around at all the bits and bobs. Then... "Huh..." she mumbled, eying a red panda. "Neat." However.... then her eyes fell on the little black dragon one. With its big, reptilian eyes and cute tail... Not that she cared about that much.

But then she found one. The operfect one. A little green gremlin. She held it up. "Hey, Dee-chan. I found the perfect one of yours... Even says gremlin on it." Little brat.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
Usagi giggles as Dianora describes her plans for the cutest unicorn, oohing and aahing on cue over the sparkly hooves and rainbow fur and little horn. And then she's asked about her own, and blinks...

"I guess I didn't think about it," she admits, and then looks over the options. "There's Pokemon, and classic bears and bunnys, and - oh!! "This one!" She scoops up a pink axolotl and carries it off to be stuffed. That's where she is when Hinoiri rejoins them, and she giggles at the gremlin. "That's not nearly cute enough to be Dee-chan."

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora added some extra glitter and a few other touches to her unicorn, and just when she was about ready to go get it stuffed, Hinoiri returned.

"Onee-chan!" She said, abandoning the unicorn on the table to turn and give Hinoiri a big hug. A hug which she immediately abandoned to grab the deflated stuffy and carry it off to be filled. She's clearly having a good time.

When she sees the little green gremlin her eyes go big. Her eyes are green, just like the stuffy. "I love it! It's perfect!" She grins to Usagi. "She's the best Onee-chan I could have ever asked for!"

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara chuckled and then... oddly... she did start decorating the gremlin. As well as a little black toothless dragon... they were both very cute. Ish. And frankly, the little gremlin did remind her of Double Trouble a bit. Especially once she finished with it she would.

"I don't know. It has that same mischievous smile she does," she said in a playful tone.

Of course, as she got to work, she whispers to Usagi... "Thanks for this. Girl had a whole fortress of them before the place exploded and a lot of them.... didn't survive all the smoke damage."

She did feel guilty about it, honestly. A bit. Even if it, technically, was Dianora's fault. She... was the one who lost her temper. Who exploded.

"So, I imagine the retro games will come next." she would, of course, pay for all of this. After all, Usagi was helping them and all. Not to mention, well... Easter paid its workers well. Working with the different divisions helped a lot. It also helped whenever work came and butted in, bribery make the distractions go better.

Usagi Tsukino has posed:
The axolotl is given a heart, kissed and everything, and then off to the stuffing machine once it's first outfit - a white tennis outfit, because the absurdity was cute - and the two stuffies in Hinoiri's hands earn appreciative glances, because they were both a little bizarre and yet cute.

"It's no problem, really," she whispers back, "She's really cute, and this is fun! I'm glad we can give her a good day out." The explosion might have been a little while ago, but the impacts clearly still lingered. Usagi would be glad to help in any way she could - especially via shopping!

"Retro games definitely! There are some at home multiplayer options with those, so you could play against Dee-chan or any of your friends, and after, we'll check out modern games!"

A whole day planned of hanging out. Truly, life could be good sometimes.