1328/Coffee and Vogue

Coffee and Vogue
Date of Scene:	22 March 2024
Location:	Midori-Ya Cafe
Synopsis:	Adrien and Naru hit up the cafe after one of Adrien's photo sessions. They run into Zoisite and get to chatting.
Cast of Characters:	Adrien Agreste, Naru Osaka, Zoisite

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Adrien Agreste has posed:
"I have to admit I kind of like the jacket," Adrien remarks while sliding his hands down the front lapels to straighten them. "But the shirt underneath is a bit tighter than I'd usually wear." Far too tight really. It was skin tight and showed off his physique *far* more than anything else he had worn outside of a swimsuit shoot before. The suede jacket was the saving grace as it hid a good deal of his chest from sight (thank goodness), but it was also rather loud in it's design. "I'm just not sure green is my color," says the blonde, green eyed model as he tips his head to wink playfully at Naru. "What do you think?"

Though she had been at the photoshoot he does a playful little half-side-step and swings through the motion into a perfect spin. Almost a pirouette if not for his shoes being no where near able to do pointe. Which was just fine as he hadn't had ballet class for almost five years now. Black and green is what he's dressed in. Neat slacks, a somewhat too-tight high collared black shirt, and the green suede jacket with a prominent breast pocket. A necklace and pin are worn as well to give it a little silvery bling.

And Naru had SEEN it already of course, she was at the photo shoot, but he also wanted to tease her a bit since he knew she enjoyed seeing him in fancy clothes like this. It was a good way to wait for their coffee orders to be brewed and delivered while they stand at the counter.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I am going to have to brace myself for the swarming of your fan club when this photoshoot comes out." Naru laughs lightly as she openly admires his current outfit from the shoot. "Cause daaaaamn. Green looks great on you.. better on you than on Mamoru.. but it's a different shade of green. It makes your eyes look amazing."

Naru offers him her hand after he's done that little twirl, waiting on their coffees. She's wearing a simple enough skater dress, fitted to her tiny self, worn over leggings in deference to the early spring weather.

Zoisite has posed:
    Having already been here for some time, Zoisite is just now queuing up to put in a second coffee order. His original small latte hadn't done much to get him going, so something a bit more caffeinated (and maybe a bit more sugary) is in order. The table he's just left still has his textbooks and notes on it, a small claim staked in the middle of the cafe.

    Zoisite's eyebrows go up as someone nearby does a little spin, and while he might snark to himself internally, he can't help but look over. The girl this person is clearly with is right; green is his color. So Zoisite offers a quick, "Nice jacket," before he steps up to the counter and puts in his order.

    Something with caramel, blended with ice and an extra shot of espresso. That should do.

    He's dressed in slim-fitting pants with a faint checkered pattern, a dress shirt, and a similarly suede jacket though his outfit is monochrome in blacks, whites, and shades of grey. The only pop of color are Zoisite's own green eyes, which are paler and colder than Adrien's. As he steps to the side he realizes he recognizes at least Naru, but rather than fumble over the awkward conversation that would entail, he just stands out of the way and waits for his coffee.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste reaches out to take Naru's hand in his own and with a teasing little bow over her hand bestows it with a kiss. "I trust you'll defend me from the crowds, as always," he teases back while standing upright again. His eyes were filled with a rather mischevious glint in saying so.

When the compliment comes from Zoisite his attention turns toward the other green eyed blonde with a bright, warm smile. "Thank you! You're looking rather snazzy yourself!"

Did he say snazzy? Yes, yes he did, and yet somehow it's a completely sincere compliment toward the other sharply dressed fellow. "Great choice in coffee, too," he adds with a little laugh as his own was similar. When you had a suit like this on straws were a necessity to ensure no dropping of food on the attire.

His head tilts back toward Naru with amusement. "You know I keep hearing of this infamous jacket of his, but I've never see it. Green doesn't seem his color though. I think Mamoru would look *way* better in royal blue."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I think he ended up getting rid of it, I haven't seen it in ages." Naru comments to Adrien on the topic of Mamoru's green jacket. The infamous green jacket. "He looks great in red too."

Naru offers Zoisite a warm smile as she spots him out and about and even some general level of social! Progress. "Hi Zoi." She's a touch uncertain on what name he might want to go with, but hopefully a light touch on a nickname won't be too disconcerting. "It's good to see you again. How are you doing? Have you met Adrien?" She gestures at the handsome blonde she's holding hands with.

Zoisite has posed:
    The compliment earns a slight smile from Zoisite, once he's glanced over to make sure Adrien actually meant it. He tosses a stray lock of hair over his shoulder and tips his head in mute acknowledgment, because it's entirely well-earned, thank you very much. He's always snazzy.

    "I think he looks best in earth tones, if we're talking about the same Mamoru," Zoisite adds in, and then he titters a little behind his hand, amused at his own little in-joke. His eyelashes lower when Naru addresses him by name right after, which seems to be a nice sidestep to any potential awkwardness, so he goes along with it. No protest on that particular name usage from him, either.

    So he says, "Hello, I'm doing well," because he is. Studying has been going excellently thanks in no small part to a certain blue-haired senshi's assistance, and he feels well-prepared for his placement exam. Given that's why he's here at the cafe, that is what comes to mind first. All of the other interpersonal drama... well, he doesn't comment on that.

    Instead he turns to Adrien, "I'm not sure if we have been. Izou Saitou, but I go by Zoi as a nickname." It's better than the entirely fake name, he supposes.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste pauses to watch the interaction between Naru and Zoisite as they greet one another. He doesn't seem *too* surprised that this is someone that Naru knows, or that Zoisite knows of Mamoru. If anything he just seems to relax a bit more at this knowledge. "Only one Mamoru that I know of. Though I suppose it could be a common name."

As soon as Naru introduces him properly though he offers a hand out toward Zoisite out of habit. No bowing in greeting here, he's offering a handshake while meeting the gaze of the other blonde. "Adrien Agreste, pleased to meet you. I've got the dorm next to Mamoru and Koji," he explains. "We're the 'coffee room' on account of I snuck in an espresso machine. You're welcome to grab a cup if you're in the area at all." Many of the dorms were known for something or another. Mamoru and Koji's was the 'ramen room' at this point after all.

"Would you like to join us for awhile? Or I guess you were here first so it'd be us joining you," he ammends chuckling a bit.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Earth tones /do/ suit him well.' Naru quips back to Zoisite with a little laugh. "Yes, we're speaking of the same one." She considers Zoisite at his answer as to how he's doing and her smile grows a little as he replies, and it seems to be sincere. "I'm /glad/." She truly, she sounds as if she is.

"it's amazing espresso." Naru adds on the heels of Adrien's mention of making it the coffee room. "I tend to end up over there now and then." which sounds a lot like 'probably more often than she should.', but her smile is utterly unrepentant.

"Are you transferring to RHA?" Naru asks of Zoisite now that Adrien's covered the 'hey, can we join you?' bit of the conversation.

Zoisite has posed:
    The handshake doesn't catch Zoisite offguard, or at least he seems to accept it smoothly, returning it with a firm grip. One shake reveals subtly calloused hands despite his manicured nails and moisturized skin, and then he's withdrawing, to nod. "I'll have to take you up on that some time," he responds. After all, coffee is magic.

    When his order is announced, Zoi briefly steps away to fetch it from the counter and shove a straw into the cup, and then he's gesturing towards the table he's already occupying. "Let me clear off some space."

    It only takes him a few moments to store the textbooks, notebooks, and pencil bag away in a satchel tucked beneath his chair, and then there's plenty of room for Adrien and Naru to set their own beverages down. "That is the plan," he confirms to Naru. "My placement test is this Saturday. I'm throwing a celebratory sakura viewing the day after." Which may sound presumptuous of him, but Zoi does sound very confident that he will do just fine.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
What may be surprising during the handshake is that oddly Adrien has similar callouses on his own hands. While he did take care of his skin for his job there was no getting away from the callouses that develop after repeated, constant practice with a sword. It's hard to immediately tell of course *what* weapon caused those callouses. It was far easier with a more specialized weapon like a bow that would create a few oddly located callouses... but they were there.

Adrien turns to pick up the order for himself and Naru as well intending to carry it over ever so diligently rather than let her get it herself. Only once the table is cleared by Zoisite does he set the drinks down to free a hand so he can pull a chair out for her before even considering sitting himself. By the time he does Zoisite has already explained his current goals.

"A Sakura Viewing?" His eyes light up to turn instantly to look at Naru with a silent little look that clearly pleads 'can we?' silently. "Naru and I went with a small group to visit the Nara Deer last fall, and we went to Hida Folk Village for her birthday on New Years. We really haven't had a proper trip out since then though, have we, Naru?"

Clearly the thought of doing something like this is up his alley. Enough so that he adds, "I still want to visit an onsen at some point. Himeji Castle. Mt. Fuji. Akihabara..." He's already counting off on his fingers only to pause as he realizes he's startling to ramble.

"Sorry. I just really want to see everything I can while I'm here. I'm originally from Paris," he adds sheepishly to explain his apparent desire for tourist destinations.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Thanks." Naru murmurs softly to Adrien as he collect up the coffees for both of them. She's clearly well spoiled, but she lets Adrien take the coffee over to the table where zoi's left them space.

There's a bright rippl eof laughter as Adrien gets the doe eyed 'can we? can we?' look. "You are welcome to go. I have to visit my mother on Sunday, so if I'm back in time, I will totally come meet you there, but you should absolutely go, even if I'm not free." She settles herself at the table with the pair of them. "We've been good about working on /classes/." Naru points out to Adrien with a laugh. "Rather than going on adventures, but we shoudl totally go on an adventure before school starts again. With Zoi.. cause he's totally going to ace his test."

Zoisite has posed:
    "Please feel free to come, it's open for anyone to join," Zoisite says, because the whole point of such things is for it to be a gathering of friends, and admittedly he's a little light in that category at the moment. "If you don't have a kimono for the occasion I can recommend several shops."

    He takes a sip of his drink, slurping silently through its straw, and then Zoi cracks a smile. "Yes. I'm just brushing up on some fundamentals, I feel confident in the harder topics," he says. "I'm sure some people would have trouble picking up so much after being sick for two years, but I'm good."

    The sick thing is a lie, of course, but one told expertly, well-practiced. And the confidence that goes along with it... well, that's pure Zoisite, so that comes easily too.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste leans over to press a quick kiss to Naru's cheek when she encourages him to go on his own. As well as the fact that, perhaps, he's apologizing quietly for the focusing on school thing. Even if it was *necessary* it wasn't necessarily *fun*. "I'd love it if you could join, but I'll attend as well. I'd like to see it and I'm done with all of my classes for now at least."

He really is so easy and quick to smile when in a good mood. Today was a good mood day so Zoi is offered another of those smiles. "I'll be there, then! Thank you. I'll give you my number so you can text me any updates too so we don't have to rely on Mamoru playing telephone."

The coffee he'd ordered is finally tended to with a quick sip of his own followed by a dab of a napkin to his lips even if it may be unnecessary. "Good luck on the test! You may not need it, but I hope it still goes smoothly and doesn't take a lot of your time."

Now there's a bit of interest in his gaze as he hopefully asks, "Are you looking at joining up with any clubs? I could recommend a few. I keep trying to get Mamoru out to fencing club without any luck."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I'll try and escape my mother but.." Naru has the grace to look a little sheepish. "I hven't visted much recently, and she IS my mother, so I probably shouldnt cut the visit too short."

There's a little arch of Naru's brow at Zoi declaring that he was 'sick' for two years and she considers him thoughtfully for a long moment before she nods at that particular cover story. "I'm glad you.. and your companions, are well again and solidly on the road to recovery. It IS good to see you out and about again."

Naru laughs as Adrien puts in a quiet pitch for fencing club and she leaves over to give him a light nudge to the ribs. "Do you invite everyone you meet to fencing club?"

Zoisite has posed:
    The mention of exchanging numbers has Zoisite promptly pulling out his phone, which flashes a very relevant picture of some sakura buds beginning to blossom that he took recently. He takes the moment necessary to do the exchange with Adrien, as it's best not to leave these things for later when they might be forgotten.

    And besides, he really wants good attendance for the sakura viewing. "I've already arranged for some food, but feel free to bring anything you'd like. So long as it fits the theme, of course." There will likely be further details incoming via text on precisely what that theme entails, later.

    "Thank you. I haven't considered any clubs yet, but any one would be lucky to have me, of course. Still, fencing is awfully..." Zoi pauses to think of an appropriate word. "Physical, after all. I'm much too delicate for that."

    He laughs again, behind his hand, even though it's entirely not true. Best not to expose his swordsmanship skills to the public, anyway.

    He sobers a little when Naru mentions his companions, and he knows she means his fellow Shitennou. "We're all... varying degrees of fine. But nothing that we can't overcome with some rest and recuperation. I needed next to nothing, of course, I bounce back quickly."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste oofs at the nudge to his ribs good naturedly giving his side a rub. Naru probably didn't hit him that hard but he plays it up a little smiling at her while readjusting his jacket. "That or Mario Kart. It took way too long to explain Mario Kart to Chrono though. Fencing is easier to explain." Seriously try telling someone you're racing and to watch out for turtle shells.

His own phone is taken out and though it may SEEM as if he would be the sort to have a photo of him and his darling Naru? It's not. Instead it's an older picture of him, his father, and his mother posing for a portrait. The numbers are exhanged easily though.

"Although you're welcome if you want to play some video games, too. It can be just as fun without breaking a sweat." The talk of recovering, and sickness, wasn't ignored though he simply hadn't remarked on it at this point. Now he looks up with a softer expression. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you all out myself. I'm kind of in a similar situation as Naru with ... well. Other things." He was still at least trying to pass off that he was in-the-know but powerless like Naru. He had to, to protect the Miraculous.

At least that's what Ladybug kept telling him.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I'll get your number from Adrien, if that's alright?" Naru asks of Zoi as she watches the exchange of information. She's got her coffee as she leans back in her seat, and clearly isn't in a rush to get her phone out right now.

Naru manages not to laugh at the comment about being 'delicate', but it does require a quick sip of coffee and than an ah! "Hot!" She nods with a soft mmm at the more serious topic. "I haven't spoken with Takaki yet.. he's the one I was the most worried about." Her voice is quiet. "I haven't wanted to pry, or seem.. weird about it."

Naru reaches over to settle a hand on Adrien's arm, to give it a squeeze as he apologizes for not helping out. "Mario Kart is pretty fun." She has to admit, even if she leaves most of the game playing to usagi.

Zoisite has posed:
    Zoisite nods his assent to the phone number exchange Naru suggests, adding a, "I'll have Adrien pass along the details for the flower viewing, then, in case you can attend," which seems the easiest option. He enjoys more of his drink, having gotten through the initial burst of sugary sweetness from the whipped cream and now enjoying... well, more sugar from the caramel-infused coffee. With the bonus of caffeine. "We had it perfectly under control," he assures, in regards to the delicate talk of his "sickness". "All handled now, at any rate. No sense in dwelling on it."

    At least not for Zoisite, who is perfectly recovered. Yes, absolutely.

    "I can't speak for him, but I will say he is at the very least capable of declining help if he doesn't need it." His tone of voice suggests Zoi thinks Jadeite definitely needs it. "Either way, an offer is just an offer, you know. It won't hurt to reach out."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"I'll be sure to update Naru with the details, and pass on hers as well." True to his word Adrien's already at least shot Zoisite a smiley face and a note with Naru's information. All the better to ensure that everyone was in the loop and able to reach out to whoever they needed to.

The phone is then set on the table face down so it was within sight, easily grabbed, but his attention wasn't on it. He wasn't stealing glances to see if texts came in.

"It's okay Naru, I understand how it can be with parents. Spend as much time as you need with her." An awkward pause comes as he gives a little grimace. "Ah. My father may want to meet you soon. I haven't told him we're dating yet. I'm not hiding it," he hastens to add with a little cough. "Just... Okay I am, but just from Father. I don't want him to interfere."

A little guilty he turns back to his coffee focusing on it with a long, slow sip until he feels that first chilly sting of brain freeze. Queue a quick shake of his head while squinting. "Urg. So uh." A quick rub to his temple. "Are you going to be attending the dance coming up? I think it's open to any students even if you're newly enrolled."

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I'll text him." Naru decides on the topic of Jadeite, with a little nod. "Easily ignored if he doesn't want to talk to me and no real pressure." Naru mmms softy and then nods more firmly.

Naru quirks her brow at Adrien and then starts to giggle softly and leans in to bump her shoulder against Adrien's. "If it makes you feel any better, I haven't told my mother about you either?" She admits. "I might this weekend, if the visit goes well." Which is to say, her mother isn't super focused on the store, or bascially everything else. "So we're as bad as each other."

Naru is the only one with hot coffee, and she happily takes a little sip, her slightly burnt tongue already forgotten. "The princess prom thing? It's going to be glorious chaos, but it should be fun."

Zoisite has posed:
    The texts are received but not replied to in the immediate present, as Zoisite slides his phone back into an inner pocket of his jacket for now, and nods to Naru's decision about Jadeite. He's nearly finished with his own coffee now, which is addictingly sweet and easy to sip from, and he shifts in his chair with a little twitch that speaks to his newfound, caffeine- and sugar-given energy.

    When the topic of secret romance is bantered back and forth, Zoisite says nothing. Too much history with that sort of thing for him to be anything but catty about it, and even he knows there's a time and place. Besides, it's really not his business.

    Much as he'd like to stick his nose into it.

    "I've heard about it," Zoisite says, though he can't particularly remember when or where he overheard mention of the prom. "But I'm sure I'll be in attendance, at some point. It wouldn't be much of a party without me there." He lifts his nose in the air a little bit, but then he smiles, softening the blow of his smugness somewhat. "I take it the two of you are attending together?"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste has kept his arm draped around the back of Naru's chair for most of the conversation. Not necessarily around HER, but it's there, present and warm and just there. That light touch of being nearby without just grabbing onto her. If it weren't obvious by that or the conversation, it certainly is when Zoisite asks if they're attending together. "Yep! We are. It'll be our first dance together so I'm looking forward to it." With a chuckle he adds, "I've been offering to let people check through my wardrobe if there's any suits they might like. I tend to get a *lot* of clothes I don't always get to wear more than once. You're welcome to as well if you'd like. Even if you already have something for the dance maybe there's something else you'd like in general."