997/Critter Cafe Craziness

Critter Cafe Craziness
Date of Scene:	12 January 2024
Location:	Four Clover Mall
Synopsis:	Adrien plans a visit to a critter cafe with Naru, Rashmi, and Chrono. They meet Ahmya on the way in and share a table. Adrien and Naru's new relationship is revealed, and cute hedgehogs are adored!
Cast of Characters:	Adrien Agreste, Ahmya Karashima, Rashmi Terios, Naru Osaka, Chrono Harlaown

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Adrien Agreste has posed:
There was a new cafe that had opened inside the Four Clover Mall and the fliers that had been handed out had definitely grabbed the attention of Adrien Agreste. Enough so that he had asked Naru out, badgered Chrono to come as well, and anyone else he may wish to invite along the way.

Now they were here and the blonde was standing in front of Pika Pik-Adora Cafe which he'd already made a few reservations with. Dressed in a long warm coat it's hard to see what exactly he's wearing beneath, but it's likely casual. "I think we could all use a chance to relax, and I think this ought to do it! Chrono said he may be running a bit late though," he adds with a small frown of consternation as he gazes at the cafe, then glances to his watch.

"Mm. I think it'd be easier for those of us who are here to go in for the reservation. He can catch up to us."

Ahmya Karashima has posed:
     Pika Pik-Adora Cafe... a new cafe, and some people had said it was a 'critter cafe'! This was something that an animal lover like Ahmya could not pass up on! That and Cafes tend to just have nice little snacks and treats and drinks to them so it was always worth it to sample those. As such, the eyepatch-wearing young woman was approaching the entrance to the cafe as well, looking over its storefront quietly with a thoughtful hum. "Let's see..." She quietly opens a little cute cat wallet to double check how much money she had before closing it. "Yosh, even at 'gimmick' prices, I should be good!" She says, talking to herself out loud.

     There might be some people looking at her. Not that that was very weird considering she was wearing one of her usual 'scary cute' style dresses, and the whole 'wearing an eyepatch' thing, both of which tended to draw attention.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"That's fine," Rashmi says brightly to Adrien, bundled up in thick wool sweater, matching cap and mittens, and a warm charcoal skirt and leggings. "He'll probably need the relaxation anyway, after everything that's happened recently. Thanks for this, by the way! I haven't even been to a cat cafe in *ages!*"

Hat comes off, followed by mittens, stuffed into her messenger-bag-and-portable-library, and Rashmi runs her fingers through her bright red hair. "So! Shall we?"

Eyepatches may be attention-getting, but it's the clothes that the redhead notices first, and earn Ahmya a cheerful, appreciative smile. Clearly she values the cute higher than the scary.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I'm rarely opposed to relaxing." Naru comments with a smile as she pauses outside the cafe with Adrien. "Isnt' Chrono not keen on cats, though?" Naru too is all bundled up, a warm sweater dress over fuzzy leggings and warm looking boots. "Unless it's a different critter? Not all of them are cats." Naru grins to Rashmi. "Hi Rashmi, it feels like it's been ages since we've chatted."

The other girl, with the eye patch gets a little nod, polite, in greeting. That level of weird doesn't even register in Naru's weird meter.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"Oh no, it's not cats," Adrien is quick to correct of Rashmi. There's a broad, knowing, perhaps even mischievious grin that spreads over him as he tips his head toward the cafe. "I know Chrono has a phobia. While I'd like to help him with it sometime, this is just for actual relaxing." He might seem slightly smug as he glances to the side regarding Naru with another grin.

"This is all small animals that aren't commonly pets. Though they *are* pets and are up for adoption, according to the flier," he admits.

With a little clearing of his throat he steps to the side toward Naru, reaching up to rest hands lightly on her shoulders. "Can I take your coat? It'll be much warmer inside."

Spotting Ahmya as well he lifts a hand long enough to wave. "Ah, good to see you again! Are you going in as well?"

Ahmya Karashima has posed:
     Appreciative smiles, nods, and a couple of people she recognizes! Ahmy returns the appreciative smile and dips into a curtsy towards Rashmi and Naru. "Good afternoon." She says in a simultaneously cheerful and polite tone, somehow. Hm! Animals that aren't normally pets... that's interesting.

     "It's good to see you again as well, I was intending to! A non-standard pets cafe sounds right up my alleyway, as a lover of things that are not standard pets~." Bugs. She means bugs. Which honestly isn't /that/ weird of pets but still. "Not that a cat cafe would be bad mind you. I love my grumpy little man, but this is just /really interesting/." And maybe she'd consider adopting one. Hm. Would the dorm let her have a weird pet though? That's a thought. Also they're probably expensive, come to think of it.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Hard to take care of, at least," Rashmi muses, but the idea of critters that are not cats available to coo over is, as ever, an enchanting one, and the smile she turns onto Naru is bright. "I know, right? How was your break, and by the way it's G-kun's turn for Debate Club snacks next week. So... probably conbeni chips again."

Which is about when Rashmi clocks Adrien's hand on Naru's shoulder, and the pair of them get the raised eyebrow and poorly-concealed grin that all but scream 'Oh is this how it is, finally?'

Buuut, there is a new person, and tea can be spilled once they get inside. "It's good to meet you," she says, turning back to Ahmya and bowing. "I'm Rashmi!"

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I am not coming home with a pet, remind me of that later, would you?" Naru informs them all, as she shrugs out of her coat to be able to give it to Adrien to set aside. They won't need them in the cafe, for certain. "I don't know how well Luna would get along with other random critters in our room."

"Hello again, Ahmya." Naru smiles to the other girl. There's a little laugh from Naru at Rashmi's comment. "I can think of worse things than conbeni chips.. it won't be so bad. Although hopefully a better selection of flavours this time." She mmms "My break was.. generally quiet, once it got started. Yours? Good holiday?"

That raised eyebrow and grin from Rashmi is met with a bright smile, and a little half giggle of her own. The classic teen girl silent confirmation of gossip assumption.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste takes hold of Naru's coat easily once she shrugs out of it. It then takes a spot draped over the arm furthest from her as he pauses to take off his own coat. The long peacoat jacket covered a good deal of his attire until now. As soon as it's slid off it reveals that he's wearing a dark green v-neck sweater with a white undershirt paired up with dark grey slacks.

And he stands there a moment as if basking in this reveal with a broad, brilliant smile because Naru was wearing dark grey leggings and a green sweater-dress. They matched.

Which had taken a bit of finessing on his part, and subtle texts with Usagi to figure out what Naru was about to wear, but *they matched* and he was clearly oh-so-proud of this.

The pair of coats drape over his arm, and then he offers the other to Naru in a most gentlemanly fashion. "I'll make sure you don't take any stray kitties home," he assures her teasingly. "You've already got enough to deal with. Shall we head inside?"

Ahmya Karashima has posed:
     "Yeah, definitely. A part of me wonders if it's actually responsible to offer such things but it might just mean like... ferrets or something else less standard, exotic but not outside of the realm of normalicy at the same time?" Ahmya muses in response to Rashmi. "Rashmi. A pleasure to meet you, I am Ahmya Karashima." She hums lightly to herself as she muses. "Well, regardless... just standing outside won't show us what's inside, hm?" She's either oblivious or just not paying attention to the hand on shoulder thing! Mostly out of ignorance that that's any different from normal.

     "That's a reasonable viewpoint Naru. Especially since dogs and cats -- I'm not sure what Luna is but I'm assuming one of those two, though an owl might be an option too -- tend to play roughly." Ahmy responds to Naru. She's trying to be helpful! In her own way at least.

     Okay even if she didn't necessarily note the difference between then and now it /was/ pretty cute that Adrien and Naru matched and also the way he took her coat. She definitely wasn't staring or jealous. Nope. Not at all. "Yep! Let's go inside~. ...May I invade your table? I'm sure it'll be more fun with more people, right?" But also they were talking about a fourth person and intruding on a double date might be ... awkward.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Well there's a couple clues," Rashmi chuckles, "but yeah let's go in. And, I don't mind if the adorable *new couple* doesn't!" Rashmi, unlike Setsuna, *will not* go into the other room to take a victory lap in silent dignity. She will celebrate friends pairing off *right here.* They have *matching outfits,* for pity's sake!

With that verbal elbow to the ribs out of the way, she gestures to the cafe door. "Then let's be in!"

Naru Osaka has posed:
Naru surrenders her coat to Adrien and it takes her a moment after he sheds his. A glance to her outfit and then back to his outfit. And she starts to giggle. "You are such an adorable dork." She reaches over to tuck her hand around Adrien's arm.. which is hardly helping Rashmi's comments.

"Hey, based on the pointed comments from /your/ cutie.. and others.. it isn't /that/ new. We're just a little more stubborn than most." Naru smirks a little for Rashmi before she turns her head to Ahmya. "More the merrier, really. Let's go."

Naru isn't unduly shy, heading to open the door and usher the whole pack of teens into the cafe.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"Fine by me. We're waiting on another anyway, I'm sure it won't be too much more trouble to pull up an extra chair," Adrien assures as he turns to follow Naru and Rashmi inside. Because he of course allows them to go first and holds the door open for anyone else going in as well.

"The booking name is under 'Agreste'," he calls out as he steps inside. Not too loud, but loud enough that the host or hostess can look them up. He may be foreign but he wasn't entirely ill mannered thank you very much.

That doesn't mean he wasn't excited about this. "As soon as I heard about it I wanted to try it out. They have hedgehogs here, and other animals. I think a prairie dog even."

Ahmya Karashima has posed:
Ooh. It was a new couple and Rashmi was apparently good friends with them. "Oooh, and here with how the two were interacting I was just assuming they had been together for a while. Congratulations, you two." Ahmya says with a smile towards Naru and Adrien. No, no you're not really helping the comments there Naru. But it's okay.

'Your cutie' okay so yes it was probably something akin to a double date. Though maybe not an outright straight up double date so much as two couples hanging out. Time to be the awkward ... 5th wheel! Which is much less awkward than the third so upsides. "Ah, so one of those things where you were basically dating but didn't make it official out of either obliviousness or stubbornness, I see, I see." She muses. "We get people like that coming to our shrine sometimes, they're honestly adorable usually." As Naru ushers them into the group, she makes a note to stay slightly close behind Rashmi, stepping just slightly behind her and to her left, which is where she'd stay until they reached their table. She'd murmur a quiet, "Sorry. Not entirely used to the lost half of the world yet." To her.

"If it costs extra to add an extra person to the booking I can pitch in as well." Ahmya responds to Adrien, giving a small smile. "Ooh... hedgehogs... prairie dogs... so yes nonstandard but not that weird." She says with a nod. Hedgehogs are adorable. Hm! "Those are cute, though I'd be hesitant to adopt a prairie dog. Can those even be properly domesticated?" More a question than a judgement, there.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown had, finally, managed to get away from his, uhhh, distraction. And he smelled slightly of smoke.

<< I'm almost there, >> he said to Rashmi through his device. Ugh. Stupid inconveniences... << Fenyx is finishing up, but she said we should 'have fun'. >> He, of course, had tried to help. But his familiar had told him to 'get lost and relax for once'.

He lightly jogged through the mall, de-henshining as he went. HA! He remembered! And came running in... RIGHT as they were getting ready to go!

... Okay, seriously. It wasn't that he had jogged into the building. It was the fact that he'd done it and yet his *shirt* wasn't even wrinkled, in fact it was perfectly tucked in, not a hair out of place. How did someone manage to be *this* much of a stickler?

However, as he approached... he stopped running, moving silently behind them... and... Take Rashmi's hand. Tugging her around and...

"Hello, fair maiden, I've come looking for an angel and, though the journey was long and difficult, I can only say upon seeing you that it was not one in vain..."

Pause.

"Also, sorry I'm late. There was a dimensional disturbance I had to deal with."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"It's okay," Rashmi murmurs back. "It takes some getting used to." See also, the entrance of her own -- if slightly charred -- boyfriend! Who takes her hand, smells vaguely of smoke, and practically quoting poetry at her.

"Chrono you are *such* an adorable goober," she says, leaning in to give him a quick smooch. "Also, this is Ahmya-san," she says, gesturing to the eyepatch'd girl, "who is apparently in the know, and new to stuff! So that'll be... an education! ANYWAY. We have been promised hedgehogs and prairie dogs, and there's a table waiting for us!"

And it becomes apparent why *these* two are a couple; Rashmi has chill enough to make up for them both. Taking hold of Chrono's arm, she steers the boy toward the cafe doors.

Naru Osaka has posed:
"Awww.. Hedgehogs!" Naru ooohs happily at the prospect of getting to cuddle a hedgehog. She gives Adrien a light nudge. "Critter cafe.. you're getting more Japanese by the day."

"It was complicated." Naru comments to Ahmya about the options of stubborn or oblivious. She went with an option C.

Naru glances over as Chrono makes THAT sort of entrance and she laughs brightly and she nudges Adrien. "It is not a competition for flowery langauge. I'm just /saying/."

Naru nods to Chrono. "Everything alright?" The question is curious, only a touch of concern.

Naru laughs brightly as Rashmi expertly diverts Chrono off towards their table. She's got this covered.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste guides Naru in easily with a glance back toward his newly appearing roommate as he greets Rashmi. He shares a look with Naru, dropping his voice conspiratorially. "I'll save the flowery language. I don't know if I'm catty enough to pull it off."

Raising his voice again he assures Ahmya, "It's all right, really. I can more than cover the booking and an extra seat if needed. Feel free." He does however regard her thoughtfully at Rashmi's explanation to Chrono that she was in-the-know, and he just nods at her a single time.

The nudge from Naru garners a grin in response. "If they had these in Paris I would have been there, too. It may be a Japanese idea but it's really a great one I think. And," he adds glancing over to Chrono, "I made sure there's no cats at this one. You don't have to worry," he assures as he pauses to pull a seat out for Naru at the table.

Ahmya Karashima has posed:
     Luckily, even if she'd not fully adjusted to missing one eye yet, Ahmya had learned to listen to her other senses more. So when someone was coming and running up to them, she wasn't entirely surprised by Chrono's appearance. The person she'd been following closely behind was being grabbed though, which did cause Ahmya to turn more so she could look towards the person doing so, one hand slipping into her purse to grab for something.

     However when Chrono starts talking, she lets go of said thing in her purse. Okay. Possibly a weirdo, but not a threat it seems. Especially after the comment of being late. "Hm? A dimensional disturbance? Has the Dark Twilight Pact begun to move in earnest?" She asks in a deadly serious tone. "Do we need to take action immediately?" She reaches into that purse again, pulling out what is quite obviously some sort of (admittedly high quality) roleplay prop wand. Along with a little witch hat that she affixes to herself using a little elastic band. Ready for combat, clearly!

     Rashmi acts in a much more sweet way towards Chrono, and introduces her, which causes Ahmy to relax ever so slightly, dipping into a one-handed curtsy instead. "A pleasure. Ahmya Karashima." Is she really in the know though, or is she just a weirdo? DUN DUN okay yeah she's in the know. Once a Chrono has been acquired, she quietly puts the wand and hat back away, resuming her position close but slightly behind Rashmi and Chrono, keeping them on the left side and just slightly in her field of vision. "As is many things in the world. Complicated, and yet regularly somehow beautiful in its complexity." Ahmy responds to Naru. "...Like flowery language, a flowery language competition could actually be pretty fun I think." Hm! A thought for later.

     Once close to the table, she would relatively smoothly reach out to one of the tables from a nearby empty one, moving her hand somewhat slowly until she felt the chair to take hold of it and pull it with her and into place at the other table and taking a seat. "If you insist, I will readily accept your hospitality then." She says warmly towards Adrien, sitting nice and comfortably with her hands in her lap as she looks around to take in the room. Along with the critters. She was definitely paying a lot of attention to the critters. And maybe zoning out ever so slightly at the cuteness. Don't mind the fact she's blushing. It's normal.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown grinned up at his partner, giving her a small nod. "I try my best. Ahmya-san, a pleasure to meet you," he said before holding out his right hand and...

A small, holographic ID appeared from his palm, just a few inches up. "I am Time Space Administration Bureau Enforcer, Chrono Harlaown." He then let Rashmi haul him away, moving to sit next to her and...

However, after a few moments he glanced around and his cheeks went a little red. "Oh. This is a... Oh." He didn't want to say it, but welllll... he... hadn't been entirely sure what a hedgehog WAS. But he, at least, knew what a dog was. "Such a fascinating novelty," he said after a few moments. "So... what... exactly is the concept here? Is the food safe to eat, or is it the kind of place where you buy the food, in order to feed it to the animals?"

Fenyx, at least, would have preferred the second. But she was busy.

He then glanced towards Naru. "Everything is fine, for the moment. It was a minor disturbance, but it had to be dealt with before I could catch up with everyone. Fenyx is taking care of the rest and merely asks that I get her something with an interesting 'assortment of flavors' for her to enjoy."

Finally, he glanced to Ahmya and... "I'm... not familiar with the Dark Twilight Pact. Are the an antagonistic group particular to your style of magic?"

Meanwhile, as he sat, others may notice... he did kind of... lean towards Rashmi. It was a small, subtle thing. Just a little hint of movement towards her. The smallest of leans.

"Also... have you two finally evolved past 'it's complicated'?" he asked, glancing to Naru and Adrien. "Because if not... I feel the outfits would be another hint towards your actual relationship," Chrono said with just a hint of teasing.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Yeah they have," Rashmi says, chuckling. "And yeah, these kinds of places generally go; you get your drinks and snacks, and you can also get treats for the animals, but..." Rashmi looks around at the little pens and playsets for the adorable creatures, and makes a noise akin to a teakettle at full steam. "...Apparently some of them are in *costume.* Omigosh how adorabllllle!"

Blinking, she shakes her head. "A-a-a-anyway... yeah. Just have drinks, and snacks, and be *surrounded* by cuteness."

To Chrono she leaves the task of learning more about *yet another* new front of the ongoing magical struggle. "So Naru-chan, Adrien-kun... Did you have a good ~Christmas?~"

Naru Osaka has posed:
"I have every faith you /could/ pull it off." Naru assures Adrien with a little laugh and a quick kiss to his cheek. She settles in the chair he's pulled out for her.

"Flowery language showdown." Naru giggles at the idea. "Like a poetry slam, but.. well.. really not." She settles more comfortably on her chair.

It would seem that there's been a few steps made past 'its complicated', like cheek kisses in public. Naru mmms to Chrono, trying to pretend that she's not likely to grin, but largely failing. "You could say that, yes. He might be an adorable dork.. but he's /my/ adorable dork. And I didn't know we were going to be matchy matchy today." She laughs and shakes her head.

Naru's cell phone rings.. yes actually rings.. and she digs it out of a pocket to look at it. A little wrinkle of her nose as she leans over to rest her hand on Adrien's shoulder a moment. "My Mom.. I'll need to actually answer." She explains briefly, as she gets up and steps away to a little more privacy to do so. Talking on the phone at the table is unthinkably rude! Adrien gets to be the one to field the questions. Lucky him!

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste tips his cheek in toward the kiss to take it with all the good grace of someone who was already grinning broadly at being offered a cheek kiss to begin with. Then he slides easily into the seat beside her while she calls him her dork. "I knew we were going to match," he explains with a wink toward Chrono. "I got some intel from Usagi-chan before I left to meet up with her." Ah ha. So the matching outfits WAS planned, just not by Naru.

When Naru places her hand on his shoulder explaining the call, he leans reaches up to rest his hand over hers with a little squeeze. "Take your time. I'd say to tell her hello but I'm not sure how that would go over." At least he understands parents can be tough at times.

That DOES leave him in the inenviable position to explain things, and he actually looks a little embarassed while glancing among the three. "Ah, well. I remember what you said, and I also spoke to Mamoru about... Well. My feelings for the other person I care for. He made some good points I hadn't considered."

His gaze sweeps after the direction Naru went a moment to remark, quietly, "It's really nice to care for someone and have them care back." BUT! There was a question about Christmas to which he shrugs. "Christmas was good, and her birthday was great. We went to a traditional town and made some crafts together."

Before he gets further into things, he looks around. "Let's order some drinks, and then ... Yes I saw the costumes, aren't they great!? Have you ever held a hedgehog, Chrono? You should, I think you'll like them."

Ahmya Karashima has posed:
     A holographic ID appears from Chrono's palm, which... Ahmy actually looks super close at as her eyes widen slightly. Look they had said she was 'in the know' so she kind of figured they also had magic but like she hadn't expected them to ACTUALLY have magic or do something like that. "...The Time Space Administration Bureau. Wow." She murmurs quietly, her eye wide. And then... there were questions!

     ...About the Dark Twilight Pact. She decided to feign being slightly zoned out for a little longer as she tried to think of a good response to that. Look she hadn't expected anyone to actually ask about it. She takes a deep breath and then says quietly, "Well you see, the Dark Twilight Pact... is... a ...." Yeah she definitely is reaching for an answer. "Term for... uh... the greater.... organization... of villainous magical people... yes! Yes that's what it is and it's definitely not something I just made up because my life was boring and I had nothing to talk about." She says with a quiet, awkward chuckle.

     Honestly, in spite of it being kind of outright a lie more or less, possibly a relief! It's not an actual new foe! "Treats for the animals... hm..." She quietly looks over the menu, specifically at the treats. "Hmmm! Oh, good, looks like they're mostly healthy treats too." She murmurs quietly, quietly deciding on a few to order, along with a drink for herself. She didn't bring money for her. The money is for the little darlings, after all!

     "Instead of a poetry slam it could be ... a flow-off? Hm... no, maybe not that, I'm not sure that works as well as it did in my head." Ahmy says with a very soft giggle. "A Suave... Soiree maybe?" Hmm! That one's maybe a decent option. Maybe. The relationship talk she mostly just lets pass by, not that she wasn't interested, but being an acquaintence at best... well... yeah. And then the phone rings. "Okay. I hope everything's okay, Naru!"

     "They're really, really cute costumes, that's for sure~." She says cheerfully, looking towards one of the various animals. Gosh those little wahoos are adorable! "I'm ready to order when everyone else is, I already decided!"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown felt his heart flutter, just a bit, when Rashmi got excited. He would get her every hedgehog in the place to hear her make noises like that.

...

So long as he wasn't the one who had to take care of them. Though, there was a moment of concern. "Are, uhhh... are the costumes safe? For them, I mean? I know sometimes the costumes are uncomfortable for the animals. But... yeah. This sounds wonderful..." And he wasn't looking at the hedgehogs. He was looking at Rashmi. He had it so bad.

He then glanced to Adrien and nodded. "Yes. Generally, reciprocal adoration is far better than one sided. But no, I don't believe I've ever held one before. We don't have them on midchildia. Though, the spines remind me of one particular species on... well, no matter. I doubt they're poisonous or can launch them at thirty kilometers a second." ... Eep. Hopefully not.

Then back to Ahmya and... he gave an amused chuckle. "I see. Well, then. May I advise speaking more with Osaka-san? She tends to be at the center of many magical happenings in tokyo. Whether she likes it or not. Though, we are hoping the days between her being attacked by youma will actually hit the double digits this time. Stick near and you won't be bored for long. And... frankly... trust me. Moments like these, the brief reprieves? They're... worth enjoying while you can."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
...Ahaaaa. ...Welp, at least she guessed right about Ahmya being in the know! So... wait, what did Chrono say? "Aheh... No Chrono dear... these are just, y'know... cute. And the ones in costumes are the ones who are *okay* with being in costumes. Some are, some aren't. Also, um... hm..." She pauses, looking the menu over, and tilts her head. "...I think for me, cider and some of those cinnamon tea cookies? ...Yeah that sounds *great* for this weather."

Looking up at Adrien, Rashmi grins. "So wait," she says once Naru has moved off, "You *stealth planned* to *match clothes?* Oh good job, Adrien-kun!" Clearly the redhead is *impressed* by that amount of effort, and pleased for Naru that he's willing to go to those lengths to make her smile.

After all, she knows *exactly* how wonderful that can be.

"Before you go play with the wahoos, Ahmya-san? There's actually a self-defense course that the counselor runs. And *after* that, is the training 'class' for magical folk. Mostly it's high-energy sparring, so you can get comfortable with what you can do, and other people know how to work with you. You don't have to out yourself to anyone there if you don't want, either."

That done, she looks back to Chrono, and heaves a sigh, laughing to herself. "Chrono? There are adorable little animals you could be petting, right now. You can moon over me *any time.*"

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste looks both a bit embarassed and prout when Rashmi praises him on it. His hand lifts to rub at the back of his head with a chuckle. "Yeah. I saw that it was a trend in Korea and Japan, and... It's such a simple but cute thing to do. I'll probably get us some couple shirts if we ever go to a theme park when the weather gets warmer." He was already planning ahead even!

When the mention of the school councelor and the training comes, he has to nod as well considering it seriously. "I should look into that..." Only to pause, hesitate, and consider again. "The self-defense at least. I've had similar classes in the past because there's a high chance I would have been kidnapped when I was younger, but it never hurts to brush up. Plus I'm going to be joining the fencing club this semester now that I can make the sign ups in time."

Pushing back in his seat he stands and nods to the table. "Okay, I'll put our orders in and see if we can get some play time with the residents here." With that he walks away to speak with a few animated gestures to one of the staff. Likely the food orders are put in, but the staffer also nods when he gestures over to a few of the little habitats.

The staffer hurries off to place the orders as Adrien turns back to the table. No sooner does he sit down again then a few of the staffers move to various habitats and *wheel them over* to the table. These are the hedgehogs, clearly, and they're each in their own little hedgehog size panorama. One is in a tatami mat covered 'house' with little cushions on the floor next to a small table it was leaning against as if waiting for some food. Another was in a bathroom complete with a little claw foot tub that wasn't filled with water, but a squishy cushion as well. And the last was a little hedgehog school house with desks and a chalkboard decorated with what was apparently hedgehog classwork.

The staffers gently reach in to withdraw the hedgehogs and offer them to Rashmi, Chrono and Ahmya directing them to 'always hold with both hands, pet in the direction of the quills, and not to try and unroll them if they tuck into a ball.'

Ahmya Karashima has posed:
     Oh good at least they're not making fun of her for her silliness! Ahem. "Sorry I came up with it before I ended up with actual magic and just like at this point y'know. Uh... habit... sorry if I worried you. Aheh..." She mumbles, hiding her face with one of her hands. Some of it might be because of all the lovey dovey air around her. That might be part of it to a degree. "Oh uhm. I think there's some breeds of porcupine that can launch their spines, but I don't think they're venomous or poisonous. And then of course there's tarantulas that can launch their little hairs on their abdomen at high speeds at predators to irritate their faces and mouths and make it hard for them to eat them, it's a pretty cool defensive mechanism really."

     The talk of getting in touch with Osaka-san and also enjoying moments like these. She looks up towards Chrono. "I take it distortions happen a lot then." She murmurs. "I've only seen one so far... unless we count my meeting the yokai before." Pause. A self defense class and a training class?

     Ahmy looks towards Rashmi at that. "Ah, actually, that's probably smart. I've been kind of squeaking by on figuring out my abilities through my occult practice, but mostly all I've been able to figure out is making webbing." She murmurs. Which, y'know, turned out to be pretty useful against that cerberus! "But anyway. H...how did you know I was going to play with the wahoos?! Are you psychic?!" No you're just not very good at hiding your interest in the prarie dogs and hedgehogs, Ahmy. "Oh, uhm, if we're going to be friends, uhm. Some of my friends call me 'Ahmy', so if you want to, you can." She adds quietly. Is she blushing? No, you're blushing! ... ... Actually multiple people probably are but that's beside the point.

     "I have a small amount of self defense experience since very occasionally I would watch the shrine alone when my parents are away for one reason or another and my big brother is busy. ...But that hasn't happened much since I went to the academy, it's a bit too far away to really commute to and from except on weekends. ...But more couldn't help. Especially if it's focused on learning, well, yeah." She nods. Fencing club. Hm. More importantly, there were orders being put in and various habitats being wheeled over! A hedgehog is offered to Ahmya! ... Which she gently accepts, though she doesn't hold it for long, just long enough to give her little friend a little lookover. "You're very cute, little one." She murmurs quietly, smiling at it. She does set it down pretty quickly back into the habitat. Mostly because she wants to give it treats. "There you go... hungry little guy, hm~?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a light chuckle, reaching up to rub the back of his head. "Yeah, I uhhh... sorry. I'm not... really experienced in these kinds of things," he admitted. There was a surprise. "And yes, I definitely would recommend the self-defense classes. While they're not full training, in many cases they are the best kind of training you are likely to find here. The woman who runs them is a good bastion of information as well."

Chrono, on the other hand, looked... slightly nervous when he held his hands out. Not because he was frightened of it. But because... he had never admittedly seen a hedgehog before. There were a lot of similiar species on midchildia. But not these.

He held it, gently, petting it and... "I... I believe ummmm... is it okay?" ... It had fallen asleep in his palm. Already. "Do... do I just keep petting it? What is proper procedures for... a hedgehog?" he asked. Well, this was certainly a novelty. Albeit a confusing one.

"Distortions.... are actually fairly rare here. Occasionally they can happen, but not often. Lots of youma, though. And wait, webbing? You... make webbing?" Oh, there was going to be questions to that. Except...

"Ummm... Rashmi... I think... something is-- oh. Nevermind. It just needed to burp apparently..."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
All talk ceases as Rashmi is handed a hedgehog wearing a school-uniform neckerchief.

*This is the greatest day of her life.*

Listening very attentively to the staffer, the redhead carefully, carefully pets the little ball of bristle -- for it did indeed roll up almost immediately -- but that doesn't seem to matter. If the little thing wants to feel safe, the little thing can feel safe. "Yours is asleep," she whispers to Chrono. "Animals this size? They don't do that unless they feel completely, totally safe. Mine probably doesn't smell turneric or cumin very often, I think."

Because when your family owns a curry house, you are going to smell of curry, even if ust a little.

Her hedgehog starts to peek out of its ball, and Rashmi holds very, very still, keeping her face well away from the little critter. "...Adrien-san I owe you *huge* for this, thank you *so much.*"

And it's about this point, that the earlier conversation penetrates her mind, and she looks up at Ahmya, blinking in puzzlement. "Webs, Ahmy-chan?"

So the offer of friendship penetrated, but the webs didn't until just now?

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste was quite content for the moment to simply sit and sip at his espresso. Sure he could make his own, easily, but it was sometimes nice to have it made by someone else. There was a different flavor to it... And he enjoys it while watching his friends get to enjoy the little animals too. Of course, once the prairie dogs came out he was completely going to hold one.

"Not a problem, Rashmi. These things are better when shared with friends after all." And significant others. He would wait patiently though and make it up to Naru another time so she could enjoy it too.

Just as the mention of webs comes up he pauses, and thinks to ask, but doesn't. The other two did as well. "Like spiderman?" He knew a little bit about comics.

Ahmya Karashima has posed:
     "I mean, self defense classes make sense. Even if they might not directly train other things, being able to move and run is pretty important I've already noticed! I've already started increasing my exercise regimen to include more upper arm strength training." Ahmya responds to Chrono. The question of webbing gets a pause. She looks left. Looks right. Makes sure none of the staff are watching, and then gently brings her hands together. "I can't do much like this, but..." She presses her fingertips against the golden ring holding her glove in place, pulling away from it, several strands of golden thread follow her fingers, which she then makes a cat's cradle kind of creation on her hands. She opted not to include any of the sticky threads to avoid making a mess.

     "I was blessed by a jyrougumo, so it's no surprise I have spider-like powers." She unwinds the web from her fingers, setting it on the table -- no more than string, really, since she didn't include any sticky threads, so that she can carefully use a pair of tweezers to pick up a mealworm to feed to the hedgehog that was in her care at the moment. "Mmhmm. Webs." She responds to Rashmi, motioning at the silken threads with her hand not feeding the hungry little rodent. "Pretty strong ones too, I think they're actually even stronger than golden orb weaver webs and those are already pretty wicked strong." Did she just say 'wicked strong'?

     'Like spiderman?' "Aaaah... uhm..." Blink blink. "N...no? Maybe? ... I did use it to kind of slingshot myself... so ... I guess it's... not that far off..." Pause. "Oh no am I going to get sued by the americans for copywrite??? I hear they really like to do that..."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Ahmya's hedgie takes whatever it is offered in it's tiny little paws and noshes away on it with. Teeny. Tiny. Bity. Bites. Nibblenibblenibble*gone*

The one Chrono holds does indeed doze off... Until it wakes itself with that little burp. It lifts it's head, nose wriggling up to sniff at Chrono further, before it rolls onto it's feet and does a little careful jig to circle around in his hands getting comfortable again.

Rashmi's hedgie gets a bit bolder and sniffle-licks at her fingertips to taste this strange new scent.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown blinked and stared down at the little circling hedgehog.

.... Okay, yes. He was hooked. He was, in fact, so hooked that he wasn't entirely aware of how much rashmi was enjoying it anymore.

This little guy was precious and would be protected. "This planet is awesome..." he whispered, his focus now entirely on the little rodent, eyes almost gleaming.

He made a mental note to never bring Fenyx here, she'd definitely want to eat one. even if it wasn't normally part of her diet, the fact she was bigger now meant she had a more... adventurous palette. He gently moved it closer to his chest, petting it affectionately, making sure it was safe and secure.

Then, however, he glanced up again, finally tearing himself away from it. "Spider... man? Is that a horror thing?"

He also took a moment to watch Ahmya's attempts to feed it. His was sleeping for now, but... he'd try soon. While Rashmi had gone for one of the more... costumey ones, he'd ended up with a very, very relaxed simple one. One could even call it.... a standalone generic hedgehog.