457/Cat and Pony show

Cat and Pony show
Date of Scene:	19 September 2023
Location:	Dorms #1
Synopsis:	Adrien gets a text from Hinoiri. After checking that she didn't have a stroke, he meets her roommate and stays for dinner. There's mexican. It's an experience. Also, she asks him about... his other life. Adrien? What is... hot?
Cast of Characters:	Hinoiri Kirara, Double Trouble, Adrien Agreste

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Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara had, of course, warned her roomie that one of the people she knew in the school was coming over. 'He's a cool guy, he has a friend who makes amazing clothes.'

Of course... Dianora was smart. Dianora likely already knew the strange, social things that tend to be hinted at by a guy visiting a girl in her dorm.

Dianora also likely knew that Hinoiri was a genius in some ways... and utterly *blind* in so many others. And as she hadn't met the guy yet it was likely no wonder that she was here as well. Also, Hinoiri's new clothes were AMAZING! They looked great, dark, like she was going to join a gang or get in a brawl any minute. She she obviously liked the look. She'd also been in kind of a foul mood anyway, since all the... stuff... went down. So maybe her getting out of her room was... well... good?

She didn't need to put lotion and ice on the bruises this time, so that was nice. As she was sitting on the eye-bleed-pink furniture, playing on her phone... working on her 'texting'.

    Text to Adrien: Ye swng ovr romes her bt yol lick hr bt bear th pnk.

... After a point she just stopped trying.

Double Trouble has posed:
At the moment, Dianora is situated on the other end of that same couch. Not only is it bright pink, but also it's shaped like the top of a heart, and there's an ottoman shaped like the bottom that nestles right into it.

She peers over Hinoiri's shoulders because she's a snoop, and then giggles and looks away. "Does he know that I'm here?"

The little black-haired girl who is absolutely innocent and beyond reproach in any matter whatsoever looks toward the door with a glimmer of mischief in her eyes. She giggles again. It's sinister this time.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
That was not the sort of text Adrien really expected to get. If it were anyone other than Hinoiri he might suspect they were in trouble. A brain injury or something similar. This wasn't his first time getting such a garbled message though so he knows at least it's not that.

He still isn't sure what it IS though other than 'swing over rooms?' That he got. Likely he could figure the rest out once he got here.

It's not a long trek at least and soon he's at the door knocking in it with a quick three-tap knock. ... He knew better than to enter a girls room without knocking or being completely invited. Just in case though her phone dings with a quick message of 'Here!'

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara blinked and glanced at Dianora. "Yeah? I say it, right there," she said. Apparently 'romes her' means 'Roomies here'. Listen, she didn't have telekinesis. You people were lucky she could even HOLD her phone. She got to her feet after a moment. "See? I bet that's him. You'll like him, he's sweet and kind of dumb."

A good thing he hadn't tried to just walk in, the door was locked. But having some guy try to walk into their dorm without knocking might get him hit pretty hard with a dusk shovel.

A moment later she popped the door open and grinned. "Hey, Adrien-ch... ku... shit, which one is it?" she asked. "Oh, right! Just Adrien. Man, the whole shifting names thing is such a pain in the flank. Speaking of pains in the flank, meet my roommate," she said. And she said it with such good natured teasing, too. Before motioning to Dianora. Well, she was a... a small girl. "Dianora Lagorio, meet Adrien Agreste, he's the friend I met who introduced me to the girl who made these," she said, before pinching the corner of the jacket and tugging. "Is Marinette coming to?" ... Wait, did one of those seizures of a message ask him to bring here?

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio bounces down off the couch and _skips_ over toward the door, smiling and waving to Adrien as he's invited in. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Adrien," she says. "I'm from Italy, and I'm going to be a star one day soon."

Isn't she just precocious.

She's certainly dressed the part in her little pink dress and silver pendant necklace. Her hair tied up with a pink ribbon and a butterfly bow. Her feet in pink mary janes. So pink. So very pink.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"Oh! I hadn't heard back from her yet," Adrien remarks as he realizes *that's* what the rest of the text might have meant. At least he could shoot off a quick text to her in the guise of checking his phone for a response. A quick swipe of his thumb over the screen shoots off a message. Whether or not she would respond though? Hard to tell. Sometimes it took her a LONG time to respond to him so he figured she was usually busy.

With an easy-going smile he turns his attention toward Dianora in greeting. There's no judging for her apparent over-fondness of pink at least. "A pleasure to meet you, Dianora! I'm from Paris myself. Let me know when you do become a star, I'd love to see what you can do."

Another glance is given toward his phone only to shrug and more honestly say, "Sorry Hinoiri, no response just yet. You look good in the clothes Marinette made though! I'm glad she was able to help you out."

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara rolled her eyes a bit before sighing and giving the kid a little pat on the head. "Yeah... she's kiiind of a brat. I ended up getting sucked into her charms and bought her ice cream once. Ever since she's been attached." And yes, she had bought her more ice cream since. And introduced her to other foods. Both because friends and... well... She was from Kirakirafantastica. She could NOT let someone, ANYONE, go through life without experiencing proper cakes and the like. She was evil, not a monster.

"Eh, that's fine, though. As long as she knows. Go ahead, take a seat," she said, before motioning towards... the pink-apocalypse-mimicking-furniture. "In case you're curious, it's hers. I'd light it on fire... but it's actually pretty soft, so what can you do?" she said with a shrug... then... "And like it or not, as roommates go... I've only actually wanted to dangle her out the window once or twice, so I guess she's almost growing on me. Like a fungus." More playful, almost affectionate, teasing. Playing the role of put upon big sister easily enough.

"Oh. Right. My room's down there on the left, hers is the one on the right, bathroom is that in the middle. Was actually planning to order some takeout, want anything? Can you believe lil Dianora here has never had mexican before?"

Oh. Ohhhhhh. So that's how it was. Could it be...

Even now Hinoiri was playing the game. 'Make this good, Double Trouble... and there's a brand new food experience in it for you'... That or she just actually kiiiiind of liked seeing her roommate try new experiences. Eh. Nothing wrong with a good work relationship, after all.

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio stood there looking up at Adrien and then Hinoiri, her big green eyes--they're so big, and so very green--just taking them both in. She's so smol and so utterly adorable.

When Hinoiri says she was thinking about ordering takeout, Dianora looks up at her and makes the biggest eyes, and says, "Oneeeeee-chan! You _do_ love me," and launches herself at the older girl, arms wide open to hug her. It's as brief as it is abrupt though, as she giggles and then flees back to the couch, leaping onto the end of it she'd been sitting on before, and nestling back into the cushions.

"So, Adrien, what is your _thing_? I'm an _actress_," she says. So very precocious.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste reaches up to grasp the strap of the messenger bag slung over his shoulder as he enters further, intending to unsling it to set aside. Just as he's begun to do so he's pointed toward the couch with a chuckle. "It looks really comfortable," he offers politely without a hint of sarcasm in his voice. The bag is dropped into the corner of the couch before he moves to sit.

"Oh, I'm nothing like that," he respondsd to Dianora looking back to meet her gaze with his own bright green eyes. "I do a bit of modeling. It's nothing like having to act, though. That takes a lot of work!" So did modeling but that's not something he's going to say.

Instead his attention turns to the mention of Mexican. "They have Mexican near here? Sure, I'll give some a try. I can chip in for it too," he offers while considering. "If they have birria tacos that would be wonderful. Or just a burrito." He probably should watch what he eats, but... oh well.

Awkwardly looking between the two he finally asks, "Are you both settling in well?"

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara blinked a few times before sighing and giving Adrien a 'what can you do?' look. Patting her on the head. "And she'll never let you forget. The only role she can't play is humble," she teased again.

However, his comment on what he did made her pause. "Oh... huh. You are, aren't you? Hey, Adrien, are you like... supposed to be one of the 'hot' models, or do you more have the... 'bland enough that it lets the clothes stick out' thing?" she asked. Then paused. "That's a thing, right? I don't... exactly know a lot of models or clothes designers. Aside from the ones my mentor hired. The latter, not the former." The former would have been weird for her to hire.

Of course, while he tried to ruminate on that, she... was already ordering the food. "Yeah, two of... no, vegetarian. What do you mean... yes, that's a... fine. Mmm hm. Yeah. Extra chips, salsa." Then glanced at Dianora. "Oh, yes. Two orders of taquitoes and one of sopes. Mmmm hm. Yup... room YYY..." before clicking off. "So, should be here in about twenty minutes or so."

Just leaving that last question... for DT... But oh, there was a heck of a minefield in there already for Adrien.

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio is certainly settled into her corner of the sofa. She just quietly listens and watches as the other two talk. But then Adrien asks that question, and Hinoiri leaves it to _her_ to answer.

"There are some things I miss about home," Dianora says, thoughtfully, "But overall, I'd say I'm settling in well. I'm certainly staying busy between classes and drama club." And villainy, but she's not gonna say that part out loud.

"Of course, the _best_ part of Tokyo has been onee-chan," Dianora says, looking over at Hinoiri with big, adoring eyes. "She's just the best!"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Ah right, Hinoiri was vegetarian. No Birra for Adrien. He could eat vegetables without worry though so doesn't mention anything else at this point in regards to potential 'meat' options. Besides that, the most embarassing question ever has been asked.

"Ah... Well." A little red-faced he coughs into his fist before reaching back to rub at his neck in a very nervous manner. Maybe he just wasn't her type? It wouldn't be the first time, but it was still such an odd question. "Generally brands try to find models that are in good shape, proportionate, and if not ... Ah, 'hot', then relatively good looking. Though that's really a hard thing to judge since everyone has their own preferences. Usually people with symetrical faces are generally considered on the more attractive side, though." There were studies that proved that! Yes, let's go with the clinical answer. That ought to suffice.

"I... Er... I do have a few magazines with me that I'm in currently? If you want to see what it is I do, exactly. I was going to give them to Marinette because I know she likes collecting my father's brand, and I'm not sure if these would be easy to get in Japan yet."

Toward DT he relaxes marginally with a nod of understanding. "There's a lot different here, but it's a nice city with some lovely parks. Paris was mostly city so I'm enjoying the fresher air around the woods by the school." Looking back over his shoulder toward Hinoiri he remarks, "Sounds like you've both found a good friend in each other. I'm glad to hear that."

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara gave a light snort. "I think some days that lil brat's schedule is more full than mine. She's gonna go far, you can make up for a lot of things, but not a lack of ambition. Still worried sometimes she'll tucker herself out and then I'll be stuck trying to fix her up."

Fortunately, Adrien's answer was exactly what she was looking for. "SYMMETRY! Exactly, that makes a LOT of sense! Thanks, Adrien, that has been driving me nuts," she said. Wait, something had? "Errr, right. Trying to figure out what qualifies as..." Blink. "Hot... here. Yeah, now that I say it out loud it's probably kind of weird. Huh. So you're good looking, then?" she asked. "Oh, is that Marinette girl hot?" she asked. Was... she making a collage? And what was she putting into her phone? Was she taking notes? Yes. She was taking notes.

"Actually, the magazines would be useful. You ever just realize there was something you didn't understand and it doesn't matter, but the longer you DON'T understand it the more it just sticks in your horn-- head like an itch you just want to scratch but you CAN'T reach it?"

Yeah, this was why she'd given up on being the cool girl. "Symmetry, though. I wonder if that's why the rope hair... maybe like the plummage of a bird? Is Usagi-chan lonely?" Okay, yes, she was doing a research project apparently. What had Adrien done?

She shook her head. "Oh, yeah. Dianora-chan is a wonderful friend. She may be a teensy bit annoying at times... but she knows how to at least ACT like a good roommate when I need her to be one." Yes. She definitely INTENDED that pun. Terible as it was. "Do gotta agree with you, though. The city here is a bit crowded sometimes... wish there were more parks, less buildings."

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio settles back and listens and giggles. Hinoiri had not told her why Adrien was coming over and as it becomes increasingly clear what her roommates agenda is, she gets more and more amused by the entire situation. She can't help but giggle. And she's adorable when she does it.

She beams when Hinoiri calls her a wonderful friend. Some blush rises up in her cheeks. "Aww, onee-chan," she says. Then she giggles. That pun _was_ terrible.

Clearly disinterested in the topics of the older two, little Dianora decides to shift the topic of conversation to something that is much more relevant to her life. "So, Adrien, what is _your_ favorite subject at school? Mine is literature." Of course it is. "I especially like poetry. Do you have a favorite poem?"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Some of that talk was really rather suspect. Then again Adrien was a bit used to people mumbling about things, or saying odd things. Marinette did it ALL the time. So did Chrono is own roommate though that was for entirely different reasons.

The talk of trying to figure things out like THAT, though? Maybe she was just autistic or ... or had lived a very sheltered life. That was far more likely.

Adrien turns to the side to open is bag to slide out one of the magazines he'd brought in case he ran into Marinette. "Here, this is the Summer photoshoot. It was taken in Spring, really, but it's just been published for the Summer since it takes awhile to put out a magazine."

It's spread out and he thumbs through to the article with him in it posing in various shirts, and some 'riding wear' that didn't really get any use. In many of them he's posing walking a Palamino, or sharing with it an apple he'd taken a bite out of already. There was even a few photos of a playful main brushing and bathing scene where he gets sprayed by the water hose the horse took away from him. He sits back to let Hinoiri and Dianora look them over if they chose.

"Most of my subjects are pretty much the same. They're all important," he remarks, "I rather enjoy my club activities more though. Like Fencing club, or judo."

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara took the magazine, hmming slightly when she flipped through it... then...

Then her eyes narrowed and oh. For just a moment she looked furious. Like. She might rip out his spine furious. Luckily, his back was turned when she had that look for a moment. But she flipped through it and the rage softened quickly. "Oh, this is a pretty horse," Hinoiri said with that smiiiiiile. "Did you actually ride it?" she asked. And Dianora... Dianora likely knew that while Hinoiri sounded perfectly reasonable and sweet and friendly...

Just how close Adrien was to getting thrown out of this apartment. Via the window, not the door.

But none of the pictures showed him riding it, so for now? He could live. "You didn't actually hit it with the riding crop, did you?" she asked. Oh no. Oooooooh this could go right back to a 'Naru' situation. This was getting dangerous faaaaast... "You know, my mentor had... horses. Never rode them, though. That always seemed a bit... barbaric to me..."

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio was not looking away when that fury flashed across Hinoiri's face. She's looking right at her as she flips through the magazine because Adrien is _right there_ she can just ogle him directly. It's more fun to watch Hinoiri look at his pictures. Especially when there's _drama_.

It's _character research_.

"Onee-chan," she says, reaching out and insistently tugging at Hinoiri's sleeve. Maybe if she can redirect the girl's attention just long enough for her to cool off and remember this is a different world. "How much longer until the food is going to be here? I'm _hungry_."

As if to emphasize that, her tummy rumbles. It's loud, and somehow cute. Because of course it is.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste doesn't seem to realize that he's IN DANGER while Hinoiri looks over the magazine. There's not a single one of him riding of course, and there's no riding crop either. Just that stupid English riding helmet that gets abandoned halfway through the shoot as things get more 'relaxed' and 'fun'. In a very chipper voice he corrects, "His name's Sundancer, and no, I didn't ride him. They wanted to get a few shots of me sitting in the saddle, but I didn't want to stress him out." That time. More seriously he adds, "I'd also *never* hit an animal, especially not him."

A firm shake of his head is given. The thought didn't sit well with him at all. "He's a working therapy horse. Usually he works with young children to help them after they've had traumatic events, like been in accidents, or if they have cancer, or..." he falters just a moment. "Or if they've had a parent die."

Ah, but he was prattling on, and Dianora's apparent hunger was a much more pressing need! A chuckle comes and he offers, "Maybe we should check on that food for Dianora."

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara relaxed slightly, giving a nod. Annnnnd danger averted. "Sundancer? Huh. I think I knew a girl named that. With a pony named that," she said quickly. "You know, that seems a lot cuter than the symmetry thing." Oh dear. "You know, that Marinette girl seemed kind of nice too, maybe you two should see if you find the other hot. You might be a power couple or something," she said before flipping through the magazine again.

The way she so dismissively said it definitely implied she didn't care that much and was just trying to be helpful, but oof if that wasn't a danger.

"Relax, kid, it's probably--" She was halfway reaching for her phone when there was a knock and... "Here. I guess. Heh. I'll be right back," she said before walking the like. Three feet to the door. Okay, not really right back, so much as... not leaving. Either way... A ton of yen later, and she held it up! And out of reach of Dianora. "Yeah, go sit down. I'll put some on those hardened birthday parties you call plates and bring it over." She made her way to the kitchen and... "How in the world does one even FIND plates with so much sparkles on them?" she muttered as she got to dishing the food out. It was true. there was a plastic coating OVER the sparkles, so no contamination and dishwasher safe. But dang. Girl had a theme and damn if she didn't stick to it.

Soon, she came over with... the plates. For Adrien? Low calorie Chicken burrito (Not a skimpy thing, just not fully loaded). Chicken seemed 'low calorie'... and one each of the appetizers. Because he should try things AND not get overloaded. For her roommate? Oh yes. ALLLL the stuff. Fish burrito, supreme, full locked and loaded. With the appetizers. Why? Her first 'mexican' meal. She was gonna get the FULL experience. And she knew she'd love it. For her? Vegetarian burrito, some extra quacamole and beans on hers. And two taquitoes.

She hadn't even asked which they wanted, though, which... made her order either assholish, oddly on point or showed a greater examination and care of other's wants than she actively ever mentioned.

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio is totally here for just being presented with food she had to exert no effort at all to obtain. And besides, that fish burrito smells _amazing_. She sure does love how Japan is so flush with good seafood. Can never go wrong with some fish. Well you can, but it's always a good _choice_. Especially here.

She hops down off the couch then and reaches to grab Adrien's hand and tug him over toward the table too. "Can you _smell_ that? It smells so good!"

She doesn't actually wait for him though, dashing off toward the table where the plates are being set down. Hinoiri takes such good care of her. Which, on closer inspection, is a bit surprising.

She looks at the burrito and immediately decides it is _not_ finger food, it is a knife and fork food. With utensils in hand, she cuts off an entirely reasonable sized bite, and eats it. "Mmm. Onee-chan, this is delicious!"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste blinks rapidly. "Huh? Oh, no Marinette and I are just friends. I... Kind of have someone that I--" The admission is thankfully cut short by the food arriving. He probably shouldn't admit that. Then he'd have to EXPLAIN. Instead he finds himself tugged toward the table by DT giving a quick laugh at her apparent exuberance.

"It does smell really good. Thanks for inviting me to dinner, both of you." Though it did seem more like Hinoiri's idea.

A seat is taken and the chicken burrito along with sides is accepted without complaint. It smelled good and he was the guest. Why would he complain? The glittery plates are eyed though. "Wow, you weren't kidding. These are some very unique plates. I have a friend back in Paris that would *love* them. She loves anything that sparkles."

"So why are you so curious about fashion right now, Hinoiri? Is there someone *you* like?"

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara snickered at Dianora's antics. If she was honest with herself, she'd... have admitted she found it kind of cute. It was oddly really nice to share in this experience with her. To watch her actually... enjoy something. Her life before this was hard. Difficult. And... she deserved some nice things.

If she was honest with herself. Which she wasn't. This was just a game, after all. And any enjoyment she got out of seeing Dianora enjoy herself was CLEARLY just for the ruse.

She then glanced to him and... "Ohhhhh. Already got a girlfriend. Or boyfriend, I guess." She didn't judge for that. She judged for a lot of reasons. Just not that. "And nah, it's fine. You put up with my questions, least I can do is feed the interrogation subject," she said in a teasing tone. And... "Consider it thanks for helping me with the clothes, though. Being new in town and having few people one can trust to actually lean on makes the ones you can trust to not screw things up pretty valuable." Annnnd wow she could be rude sometimes.

"Not really curious about fashion, wasn't honestly something I ever cared about. Was actually more curious about trying to figure out the..." She hmmmed. How to phrase it. "I guess local fashion is more like it? Trying to figure out how things vary from here to back home. See, back home I kind of had it figured out, what people considered 'attractive'. Here? A lot more complex and it's just... ugh, you know?" she said.

Oh, poor Adrien... it probably... did sound like she was a bit autistic. Which, frankly, maybe she was. But honestly? It was the species. She was still struggling to figure it out. "Like, with pe-- with birds? It's easy. Plummage. Or like... manes, I guess, that's easy to quantify. People are... more difficult."

Double Trouble has posed:
Dianora Lagorio is paying attention to the conversation, really she is, but it just doesn't _concern_ her. Whereas the giant fish burrito and _all_ of the deluxe sides in front of her? Those concern her. They concern her very much. She eats and listens.

But, finally, she just _has_ to say something. "Onee-chan, come on. Surely you know. _You're_ hot," she says. Then she gestures to Adrien. "_He's_ hot." Then she gestures to herself. "I'm _cute_." She giggles. "There are a _lot_ of attractive people at this school."

There's a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, then. "But I really want to know what you plan to do with this knowledge once you have it."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"Oh! No no, I'm not... we're not..." Adrien actually blushes. Not the cute blush like Dianora had, but a sheer embarassed one. That MIGHT look cute because HE is, but let's not go there. There was enough confusion over it apparently. "Ah. We're not dating. I just care about her a lot. Maybe, someday." His head shakes a single time as he turns his attention to the burrito to take a bite.

"Oh, well, it is a bit hard to tell at this school. There are a lot of very attractive people here. Height, hair, how nice they dress are all factors." A grin is given when he reaches up to fluff the side of his hair with fingertips. "I've got pretty good hair I think but I'm not about to grow it out like some of the guys I've seen here. It would take so much work to keep clean."

A thought strikes him then. His phone is pulled out to quickly type a few things in it sending a pic or two to Hinoiri's phone. "Oh! Since we were talking about Sundancer earlier, his handler shared some photos of when he was a foal with me. Isn't he cute?" And indeed he was. There's one of him prancing and kicking in the air, and another of him having gotten all muddy from playing. Cute.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara gave a light snicker. "Well, of course I'm hot. I set the trends. But the issue is finding out what is supposed to qualify. And I'll... huh. Never really thought about it, honestly? I think I just wanted to figure it out. I hate not knowing the answer to a problem. Feels weird to be the only one who doesn't know, though," she admitted. That was... oddly... a vulnerable thing for her to say.

Then, however, she just side eyed Adrien. "Ohhhhh. THAT. Okay, Adrien, kid, let me give you some advice. Don't do that. If you like this girl? Just tell her. Cause otherwise? You're wasting your time and you could spend that time on like. Anything else. If you've already failed the class there's no point to showing up for the midterm when you could spend that time on a class you can figure out." Not that she ever failed a class...

"And ehhhh... your hair is okay. A bit bland. But yes, clean is good. But... like... maybe... something flashier? More eye catching?"

Her thoughts were torn from this by... the commentary on the sundancer picture. "Please, I've seen baby pony pic-- oh my gosh that's so cute! He looks so precious!" okay so yes even SHE was vulnerable to cute baby pictures SHUT UP YOU'D ALL DO IT!