1441/Pizza Day

Pizza Day
Date of Scene:	22 April 2024
Location:	Cafeteria Plaza
Synopsis:	Today would be American Styled Pizza day at the RHA cafeteria. Somehow a cluster of people wind up around Ami, interrupting her studying with fascinating ideas of what "American Styled Pizza" is supposed to mean...
Cast of Characters:	Ami Mizuno, Minako Aino, Bow, Madoka Kaname, Kazuo Saitou, Naru Osaka

---

Ami Mizuno has posed:
RHA had a cafeteria that had a multitude of options and they were always good. Excellent even, especially compared to many of the school lunches that could be found around the world. There's always something that is new every week or two as a 'treat' though. Today would be American Styled Pizza.

Sure there was always pizza of some sort but not 'American' pizza. There's no seafood on it, no mayo, no drizzled toppings. It's classic 'sausage and cheese' or just cheese, or something that was called 'Napoleon Pizza' with sauce and veggies and cheese.

Ami has already opted to snag a slice of the Napoleon to try it out and is seated at a table doing what she usually does: Ignore her food in favor of quickly reading over her notes from last class to make sure she didn't forget to add anything.

Minako Aino has posed:
Good snacks, good company...good person to help her keep her grades at a passing level when she was out patrolling as Sailor Venus OR Sailor V...it was quite the thing after all.

Of course, all study needed breaks and Minako was all too happy to take one as she moved along to claim a slice of pizza for herself.

Unlike her blue-haired friend? She was far from ignoring her food in such a way she might be mistaken for Usagi on appetite alone!"

Bow has posed:
Having just finished with the tutor, Bow is carrying a georgraphy textbook and his violin case as he frowns. "...how was I supposed to know it wasn't the Kingdom of America? They're all Kingdoms where I come from." he grouses to himself as he looks at his F on his pop quiz in said Geography class that sent him to the tutor. He's quickly learning he doesn't like learning the names of all these countries and their capitals.

Noticing the pizza, it's something new for Bow, having never seen anything like it before, he makes sure that he tucks his book and test haphazardly into his bookbag, the test with the big red '25 - F' on it as he notices Minako and Ami and raises a hand to the pair of them in greetings.

"So is this like... an open-faced sandiwch?" he asks, as he loads up on both types of pizza and a healthy salad to boot. "Or assemble it yourself?"

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka enters the Cafeteria followed by a very angsty Witch Chara. Gretchen is holding her growling stomach while staying close to Madoka.

    "I'm sooo hungry..." complains Gretchen.

    "I already said I'd get you something, so hush," whispers Madoka. "If we talk too much here, people are gonna think I'm weird."

    "Well if you hadn't lost your bento..." Gretchen starts to play the blame game, but all accusations are forgotten once she notices the food. "Oh, it's pizza day! Get me a pizza! You basically owe me!"

    Madoka rolls her eyes and glances back at the X-Chara. As if she'd ever forget to feed her fairies. Even the one who yells at her all the time. Like a dutiful mother tolerating a child she should probably not be spoiling so much, she gets into the pizza line.

    Moments later, Madoka comes across a lunch table and spots a few friendly faces. "Oh, Bow-san! ... and Ami-san, and..." The pinkette looks at Minako. "Um... Hi! I don't think we've met. I'm Madoka Kaname!"

    Gretchen doesn't introduce herself. She doesn't think that Minako can see her, and she's busy nibbling on a slice of pizza.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami Mizuno blinks out of her thoughts as she looks up from her notebook as Bow speaks up. Her expression softens to a smile, the book lowering, and she explains, "Oh this is American pizza. It's something you should be familiar with," she explains in a way that is more like hinting that he ought to PRETEND he's familiar with it. "It's like a flatbread with toppings. Very popular, originally form Italy but popularized in the United States."

It's all offered out at least before Madoka steps over. She hopes. Maybe she didn't overhear her schooling the 'American Boy' on American dishes.

"Hello Madoka-chan! This is my friend Minako-chan," she offers with a gesture at the blonde who was currently chowing down. With so many here it seems she's going to have to forego studying for now in favor of socializing.

"Feel free to join us."

Bow has posed:
Oh. It's American food. "Right! This American pizza looks like... uh... freedom!" That works, right? And that's all he's going to say on that as he joins the three girls that know the truth about him so he doesn't have to pretend. "Not even a week into school, and I already can't stand World Geography." he grumbles. "I knew where everything was back home. Let's see them point out where Brightoom is on a map." A sigh and he looks up. "I hope classes are going better for the rest of you!"

With that, he takes his first bite of the pizza, and he chews on it a couple of times. "Oh, this is sooo good. The little meat pieces and the cheese and the sauce and bread and it's all warm and filling. I totally approve." he murmurs.

Minako Aino has posed:
Had she met Madoka? Well, certainly not as Minako! The blonde wipes her mouth with the back of her hand before lifting it, swallowing her mouthful and really only managing to wave at Bow before he's engrossed in pizza and trans-dimensional geography!

"Minako Aino," she offers Madoka, a bright smile. -Could- she see Gretchen? Well, if she did...it would be poor form to call out another person's secret talking companion.

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
"This is absolutely not American pizza." Apparently Ami was overheard. Possibly her voice carried over people's heads, given how tall the person who stepped over to tease her is. Kazuo's dressed in the inevitable school uniform; his hair is pulled back to keep the orange (why is it orange, the forever question) from reflecting weirdly off the white. His voice stays firm and solemn even as he's giving Ami a teasing grin. "There is no pineapple on any of them. It can't be American pizza if it isn't trying to digest you back."

Bow gets a grin, too, when he declares that the pizza looks like freedom. "That's the spirit. Some spirit, anyway." Madoka gets a nod of recognition. Minako gets a nod of ... non-recognition, yes, but polite and amiable non-recognition. Not as bright as her smile, but almost nobody else gets that bright.

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    When invited to join, Madoka smiles and says, "Thanks, Ami-san. I think I will."

    Apparently she missed Ami's explanation about the pizza. Not that she would've thought anything weird about it. Nor does she seem to react when Bow starts talking about 'back home'.

    Gretchen settles down on Madoka's shoulder as she hungrily chows down an entire slice of pizza that is debatably larger than she is.

    "It's a pleasure to meet you, Aino-san, and... Oh..." Madoka trails off as she notices someone teasing about the American-ness of the pizza. She waves at Kazuo. Gretchen gives him a wide-eyed stare as she releases her pizza long enough to mutter something about Emus.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Why would you put fruit that isn't tomato on pizza?" Naru asks as she comes up behind Kazuo. Even she has a slice of pizza, although she also has a coffee and one can bet which one is actually going to get fully ingested. Air plant.

"How's everyone tonight?" Naru glances around the gathering and there's a little smile for everyone there.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
There was a voice Ami hadn't heard in awhile. As the others start to settle in making the little friend group around her larger, she twists to the side to peer back and up at Kazuo with a smile. "Now now, Kazuo-san, you know that 'pineapple on pizza' is as devisive a topic as choco-mint." Some loved it. Some hated it. There was no in-between. She does laugh with amusement though as she admits, "Although I've never tried it myself so I can't say for certain."

Madoka's thanks earns a soft smile. "Of course. And there's napkins if your friend needs one," she adds sliding over a stack of them toward the pink haired girl with the fairy chowing down on a slice.

"I'm doing well, thank you Naru-chan. Did you have a nice night at the prom? I had to leave a bit early, unfortunately. I got to wear my dress though!"

Bow has posed:
Kazou, Bow recognizes him from, "I haven't seen you since the camping trip, Kazou! How have you been?" he asks curiously. "Wait, people put pineapple on this as well? I saw some at the salad bar, I should get some and try it." Oh nooo.

"Hello, Naru." Another greeting aimed out as he is happily chowing down on his pizza and nods at Ami. "You looked great in your dress. You and Tadase made a nice date." Bow was paying some attention while running around all night at prom, after all. "I grabbed a dance with Madoka, she is very good at it. And Minako and Rei looked lovely together as well. I'm glad everyone enjoyed it." Nomf on pizza.

Minako Aino has posed:
It's Naru! Minako looks up, a light smile and a bright wave to the girl she'd met as Minako as Usagi's friend and as Sailor V/Venus in more...unlucky circumstances!

Still she looks up to Kazuo, smile returned and shrug given. "It's tasty though, I swear spending all day studying makes almost -anything- taste good."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
"And that," Kazuo replies to Ami about the divisiveness, "is obviously what makes it American. Besides looking like freedom." He steps half-aside to keep Naru from being hidden behind one. It would have been a smooth motion. Except that Gretchen mutters in the middle of it, and he covers a choked-off sound hastily. He does not manage to cover his eyes; they are doing the laughing for him. Apparently emus are funny. Maybe he's confusing America and Australia. Who knows?

He clears his throat, and suggests to Naru, "Ask the people who put peppers on it?"

-- pineapple at the salad bar. Um. "Normally they put it on before it's cooked. I'm not sure you'd get the same effect straight from the salad bar." It's like a relay: Minako shrugs to Kazuo, Kazuo shrugs to Bow, still openly amused. "Things have been all right. I've been adjusting to the dorms." Or the dorms have been adjusting to him. "They put me in a room that's about sixty percent low ceiling. I'm pretty sure that's the administration taking petty revenge, but it's teaching me to duck, anyway."

... all day studying. Minako wins a theatrical shiver at the prospect. (Possibly this is to give Ami an opening to tease Kazuo right back.)

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Oooh, I didn't realize you were there wiht Tadase." Naru considers Ami a moment and then grins. "You two would have made a lovely couple!" She slides herself into a seat at the table. "It was a lovely prom. I wasn't there long myself, but I'm hardly going to turn down opportunity to appreciate Adrien in a tux." She giggles softly.

"All day studying? Wait.. why?" Naru blinks and then grins to Kazuo. "Peppers are different. No matter that they're also a fruit."

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Naru gets a smile from Madoka and a wave. She says, "I'm fine!"

    Gretchen finishes chewing before waving at Naru, since she's one of those in-the-know.

    When Ami offers a napkin, Gretchen says "Oh, thanks!" before flying over to grab a one before returning to her slice. Madoka just... carefully nudges a plate underneath her fairy's pizza so that she doesn't make too much of a mess.

    Overhearing what Bow said, Madoka glances between the Etherian and Ami, saying, "You know Tasade-kun? I didn't realize he was seeing someone." The pinkette hesitates before saying anymore, unsure of how much Ami knows about the other Chara Bearer. "

    The idea of studying all day goes uncommented on as Madoka spends time cleaning up the tiny mess of crumbs that her fairy has made. It probably doesn't matter, she doesn't need to fuss this much, just... a part of her just can't help it.

    After a gulp, Gretchen says, "There's a right way to do pineapple on pizza. Leaving it uncooked isn't it. Also I can't comprehend why anyone would hate mint chocolate."

    Madoka ignores the fight that Gretchen may or may not be picking on purpose and says, "Thanks again for the dance, Bow, and also for arranging things. It was fun."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Date. Together. Couple. Seeing someone.

Ami grows rather quiet as she sits rigidly still for several moments. The napkins in front of her end up twisted and half-torn from gripping so tightly as she forcibly takes several slow, steadying breaths. Her face reddens significantly as she works not to hyperventilate.

"I mean we attended together I don't know that I'd say we're *together* or dating and-and---"

Ami's head goes down on the table to just hide her face completely. Quietly she manages to get out, "I don't do well with this sort of thing can we talk about something else please?"

Wait the magic words were said. "Studying is good though, that sounds like a lovely day." A hand withdraws from the mangled napkins to scratch at the back of her neck as she sits up again to stare a bit puffy eyed at the others. She looks. Uh. Swollen. And red.

"I could use some ice water."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
"Peppers are --" closely related to tomatoes, but Kazuo drops that, to quell another reaction to Gretchen before it can turn into a sound, and then to glance at Ami and frown. "-- I'm the one still standing up. I'll get it." And goes to do so, fetching back a glass of ice water. Without pepper. Or pineapple. There is an American-style brownie on a plate, that he absently puts down near Gretchen. Alas, no mint.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"You can totally be a cute couple at the prom without being a COUPLE." Naru points out to Ami as she watches the other girl's brain blue screen and she reaches out to pat Ami on the shoulder.

Naru goes digging in her satchel and offers Ami a small blister pack of antihistimines. Cause of course Naru has some just handy. Her satchel has everything.

"Mint chocolate is delicious." Naru agrees with Gretchen. "I'm all in for that one."

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako? Well, she was almost certainly a notorious 'Shipper' at the best of times. Just ask Naru at their first meeting! Still, for the moment she seemed restrained in that regard, nodding along with Naru-chan's comment and smiling at her reflections of her own prom night. "I'm sure you'll figure it out Ami-chan."

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    "O-oh," says Madoka, after seeing Ami's reaction. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to tease."

    Gretchen says, "You messed up Doka-chi," and the pink girl retaliates by single-finger tickling the fairy.

    On the subject of studying, Madoka adds, "Studying and working hard can also help with sleep. At least, it does with me." Glancing over at Bow's geography test, she tilts her head slightly. "Eheh, some of us clearly need it more than others."

    Madoka starts to wonder. Is this going to turn into an impromptu study session? Is there still time to run? No, it's too late. Gretchen is eating pizza and now there's a brownie. She's completely trapped.

    The Witch Chara notices the brownie, gets wide eyed and says, "For me? Thanks!" She rips off a piece and eats it, then nods emphatically at Naru. After swallowing, she adds, "Personally I like it best as ice cream, but the little mint chocolates they leave at hotels are good too."

Ami Mizuno has posed:
Ami Mizuno takes a few more deep breaths to pointedly calm down. It was working at least. Having familiar voices around her, reassuring her, certainly did help a bit. This wasn't the pure anxiety attack she'd started to have in front of Zoisite at least. Just the puffy itchy reaction she'd had a time or two before.

When Kazuo returns with the water it's accepted with a quiet, "Thank you," as is the antihistamine from Naru. It's popped beneath her tongue as she swallows water so that the effects hit harder by going straight into her bloodstream.

It's not too much longer that she's starting to already feel relief from the itchiness, and is looking marginally better.

"I'm sorry. I get stress hives at times. I'm getting better at handling it."

Turning the topic to other things she decides to add, "If anyone is having issues with grades though, I do hold a fairly regular group study session." The invitation is there. It was always there. Still, given her own grades, that might not be a bad offer.

"Sorry to worry you all."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
"Are you giving Usagi a hand?" Kazuo asks, glossing over the topic of the sudden physical stress reaction. "Or - Naru, are you and Mamoru still handling trying to get her classes into her head?"

... alas, that so few at the table will realize that he actually used Usagi's first name, instead of inviting her suddenly materializing in wrath at somehow sensing him calling her Tsukino-san across the entire campus.

... ice cream. He eyes Madoka, this time, instead of Gretchen. "Do you like mint chocolate ice cream, too?" Or is it just the scary mini-her? This is a mystery the like of which he does not understand. Somehow, though, he suspects that actual Witches cannot be distracted with hotel candies, unless the candies are the guests.

Minako Aino has posed:
Minako Aino opens her mouth to say more, but her phone starts to chime, a familiar image of a certain temple tender and herself in their prom dresses before they're gone to the party illuminating the screen and announcing the caller.

One excited squeek later and the self-proclaimed goddess of love and beauty gives a quick wave and runs of to answer the call like...well, an excited schoolgirl!

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka waves off Ami's apology. "No need to worry. I just assumed too much, is all. I wasn't trying to put you on the spot or anything." A study session, though? Madoka has to think that over. "Eheh, well, I'm usually pretty busy after school, but... I could drop by once in a while."

    "Busy being a workaholic," adds Gretchen, to Madoka's dismay.

    Looking up at Kazuo, Madoka responds, "Well, I mean, I like lots of different flavors. Homura-chan got me this peppermint bark ice cream the other day, which is pretty similar. I think I liked that one the best."

    Gretchen chimes in, "In case you're wondering if we like the same foods: yes and no. Madoka-chan's favorite is not the same as mine, but we have similar tastes."

    When Minako suddenly leaves, Madoka and Gretchen both wave goodbye.

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"Have fun visiting Rei-chan, Minako-chan," Ami calls out all the more oblivious or at least not at all bothered by that apparent pairing. It wasn't talk about relationships in general that bothered her. Just her own.

Kazuo's question gets a little nod of agreement. "Of course I help Usagi-chan. Mamo-kun has far better luck I think, but I do help her as well. Mostly I've been helping Zoi and Tamaki-kun as of late, though."

Kazuo Saitou has posed:
"I think being a workaholic is considered a virtue at this table, at the moment. Which doesn't necessarily say much good about our mental health." Kazuo folds himself into Minako's vacated seat, mostly sideways so that his knees don't try to take up anybody else's space. "I was wondering, hes," he answers Gretchen. "Thank you." Which means that at least he's confident everyone left can see Gretchen, and knows each other. Yay?

A pause, and he grins at Madoka. "-- does that mean I shouldn't consider trying to bribe you with pizza, if I ever need a favor?"

More seriously, to Ami, Kazuo says, "Thank you. I should be helping them, too - I hope I will be - but things ... aren't entirely settled there, yet. Nothing serious. Just figuring out how we get along, now."

Madoka Kaname has posed:
    Madoka smiles brightly at the notion of it being virtuous being a workaholic. "I really wanted magic for the longest time, and now that I have it I don't stop using it." She fingerpets her spooky fairy, who is still currently finishing off the crust of her slice. At the notion of being bribable with pizza, Madoka goes a little wide eyed and shakes her head, "No, and I suspect that cream stew might be harder to bribe her with."

    Gretchen volunteers. "You bribe that one with plushies instead." Madoka goes pale and glares down at the dark fairy. Traitor.

    Madoka crosses her arms and says, "Only Homura and my parents can give me plushies." Then, sensing a chance to hop onto a new subject, Madoka says, "Usagi-san needs help studying? She always kinda seemed pretty responsible to me. Or maybe... no-nonsense is a better way of saying it."

    Wait, what kind of impression does she have of her?!

Ami Mizuno has posed:
"Oh I definitely approve of working hard. Although," Ami has to admit uncertainly, "I have been told I need to stop working *quite* so hard."

Kazuo's thanks for helping the other boys gains a smile, and a nod. "Of course. Tamaki has been giving me ideas on how to improve my powers, and it's nice to reconnect with Zoi." It's time for her phone to beep as she gathers up her books.

"I should go for the moment though. The antihistamine is likely to kick in and make me sleepy shortly. It would be better if I could take a nap around then."

Standing she flashes a grin to those remaining, "It was good to see you all again!"