691/May I have this...

May I have this...
Date of Scene:	01 November 2023
Location:	Korma Chameleon
Synopsis:	Chrono meets with Rashmi's father to ask for her hand in wooing... and gets laughed at. But approved. Then the two lovebirds make lovey eyes at each other while Fenyx rolls her eyes.
Cast of Characters:	Chrono Harlaown, Rashmi Terios

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Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown touched down outside of the korma chameleon. He could do this. He WOULD do this. IT wasn't necessary... buuuut... he wanted to make sure Rashmi got the best experience. All the experience. He ended his henshin. And, well. The least he could do was tell her parents that...

And then he got into the restaurant and they were actually pretty busy. He paused for a moment upon entering before, if her mother was out greeting... "Err, would you like some help?" he offered.

... Also, why did he have a blue and pink bird on his shoulder? Cause that? That was new. Very well behaved bird.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Ananda Terios is, in fact, not out front, but the host on duty starts to wave Chrono into the kitchen... then pauses, upon seeing the bird on his shoulder. "...One sec..."

Since all the tables are full, it's an *excellent* time to make a dash into the kitchen, and talk to Goro, to tell him the Chrono boy is at the stand... with a bird."

A couple moments later, Goro ambles out behind the hostess, raising an eyebrow at Chrono's colorful choice of accessory. "C'mon upstairs," he drawls, nodding to the door to the narrow stairwell. "Ain't so bad a night as the team can't run without me for a bit, an' this looks serious."

And with that, the scruffy Osakan leads Chrono upstairs, to the Terios' family's relatively expansive apartment. Whereupon he sets a kettle on for tea, and starts measuring out leaves into a pot. "Where'd you pick up that little cutie, by the by?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown blinked a few times and... "Are you sure? I mean, you seem pretty busy," he said. Still, he followed after him and didn't make much fuss. He was... looking fairly good, today. All things considered. Nice dress shirt and all. But when wasn't he all clean cut and all?

"It's nothing serious. Or it is serious. Very serious. But... not something that I could cause undeserved hardships. It can wait..."

Of course, the man likely knew Chrono was nervous. As he was now holding his bird on one arm, and petting it with the other hand. And the bird just sat there. Comfort animal? "Oh, uhhh. This is a family pet. Fenyx," Chrono said. "Named after my aunt. Who is set to arrive in the city soon." There, cover.

"And ummm... I want to speak with you about... Rashmi-san," he said, his tone going serious. Er. Seriouser. Because when was he NOT serious?

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"Family pet," Goro repeats, nodding slowly as the kettle comes to a boil. Pouring out water into the teapot, he carries the tea to the dining table; one that Chrono has sat at many a time, during his recovery, and gestures for Chrono to take a seat. "Busy's a good problem to have some days," she says as the tea steeps. "An' if it weren't for your family pet there... be happy to have you in the kitchen again. Sadly, health inspectors don't take kindly to rumors of animals where food's bein' made. So... here we are."

When Chrono gets Omega Serious, Goro has to pass a hand over his face, as if to physically push a smile away. "Do you, now... Somethin' got my Sunshine upset, Chrono-kun?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "Yes. Family pet. She's very well behaved, however. And can be on her own for long periods if needed. I could let her out for a little bit, if you'd like." Right. Health inspectors and animals. Not the best combination. He'd forgotten about that... just earth problems.

"No. Actually, the problem is just the opposite. I, well, I suppose it's not a problem. And she's not upset. If anything, I think she's quite pleased by it. But, ahhh... she assured me there was no need for this, but..."

Deep, calming breath. He gave his hand a flick and the bird moved up, onto his shoulder.

"I think Rashmi deserves to have... everything she could desire. So even if it isn't necessary, I still want to put in the effort to make sure that she receives everything possible and that she never has to look into the past with regrets or doubts on having missed things. As such... I wish to ask for um, permission to... date your daughter." Oh, that... that was actually a bit harder than he expected it to be. And made his stomach kind of twist into knots. He... he couldn't actually drink the tea yet.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
And as nervous as Chrono was, it probably felt *crushing* when, despite his best efforts, Godo actually looses a *snrrrrk* when Chrono actually asks his permission. But then he waves it off with one hand, pouring out the tea with the other. "I gotta say, Chrono-kun. Came as kind of a surprise when Rashmi came home from the dance, an' said you two was sweethearts. Thinkin' back on it, surprise was more like..." He pushes a steaming, soothing cup of tea across the table, and turns his cup in his hands.

"We got the invitation for our girl, in the middle of the school year. An' normally with kids your age, you'd expect that t'be a shakeup, makes them miserable for *ages* until they find their feet. But boy, if she didn't hit the ground runnin' faster'n I ever expected even *possible.* Five months ago, she was our sweet, lonely, good-hearted girl, an' we'd started despairin' of her ever findin' someone she could be on more'n noddin' terms with. We love our daughter, but... Well, you've seen it. She's got a blind spot the size of Tokyo, when it comes to herself."

Carefully setting the cup down, he looks across the table at Chrono. "We know, Ananda'n'I, that you ain't ever gonna be fully straight with us. We get the feelin' as you *can't,* but so long as you don't get our girl in more trouble than teenage hijinks, we ain't worried. You're a good kid, Chrono-kun."

And suddenly, Goro's scruffy face splits into a broad grin. "An' if I ever, *ever* said Rashmi needs our permission to *date a boy,* I'd have both of my favorite women chewin' off opposite ears."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown chuckled and reached up, lightly petting his bird. "Yeah. Came as kind of a surprise to me, too. I mean, I hadn't intended to... ask her there. But it just... hit me. When we were dancing. I looked up at her and she looked at me and I realized... I... care deeply for her. More than that, I trust her and see her as a valuable partner and..." He reached out, taking the tea. That smile on his lips softer than the normally forced one. "I realized... it didn't need to be as complex as I was making it. That, sometimes, it's okay to just... not have everything finished before moving onto the next step."

"She really is amazing. She adapts so quickly, picks up on new things in a few tries, she's efficient, hard working. Dependable. And sometimes she just..." He paused. Not going to say 'your daughter is hot' to the guy. "Takes my breath away."

Then he got a kind of... almost... googly smile on his face. "And she thinks I'm cool."

"I can't say what trouble she will or won't get into. But I can see I will do everything I can to make sure she's safe throughout it. And that we will stand as each other's partner, regardless."

He did snicker at Goro's comment about favorite women chewing him out. "Yeah... I'll admit... I don't think Rashmi would have accepted 'no' as an answer anyway. But... I want to make sure I do everything right with her. In the end, she's going to have to put up with so much from me anyway."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
And Goro chuckles, all the way through Chrono's speech about Rashmi's myriad virtues. "One thing I know about my daughter," he says, lifting his cup in salute. "If she sets her mind to doin' somethin', it's cos she's *absolutely convinced* it's worth doin'. An' I trust her judgment, 'cos I know where it comes from."

Drinking half the cup at a slug, Goro lets out a long, steam-enhanced sigh. "Havin' said that. I gotta ask one favor outta you, an' I know you won't take it amiss cos you're already set on it anyway." Lacing his fingers together, he leans forward to lookinto Chrono's eyes. "Be gentle with her heart, y'hear me? Even if it don't work out forever... It's a dad's worst nightmare, worryin' about the first time his kid's heart gets broken. So just... do us both a favor, an' do your best to make sure it ain't you that does it?"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown blinked a few times and looked at his tea. Weighing all those words. Well, he was lucky, he supposed. That he was the thing she chose to do. And fortunately, he didn't say THAT out loud.

"I'll try my best. But... well. I can't promise it won't come to that. If we don't work, we don't worry. I can't force it, even if a part of me desires to. As much as I care for her... in the event we don't work, I will have to... pull the bandaid off, as it were. Trying to force it would only cause us both pain in the long run." Of course. Serious as always. The boy couldn't do anything half assed.

"But if it comes to it, I won't make her face it alone. Even if she lost me as a boyfriend, she wouldn't lose me as a friend. Ever."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"That's all I'll ask," Goro says, seriously. "Speakin' personally, I think she's made a good call..." The tea is finished off, and the elder Terios seems much, much relieved by how smoothly this particular conversation has gone. Then a thought occurs to him.

"Oh right, somethin' else I gotta ask, since you're gettin' family in an' all. We're havin' a family dinner on Christmas Day, an' you *will* be showin' up. Both you an' your aunt, just t'be clear."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded. "I do too. But I have a vested interest in her liking the person she's dating," he admitted with a light chuckle.

"Of course, I look forward to it. And I'll be certain my aunt is ready to come as well."

He almost instantly sent a message to Rashmi's device. << What is Christmas? Apparently I'm coming for a family dinner during it and Fenyx is coming as well. As my aunt. >>

"Well, I believe all of that is sorted. Now... would you like any help in the kitchen? Until the rush is over? Or waiting tables or anything?" ... Admittedly... Because he figured the sooner the rush was over he could steal Rashmi and take her out somewhere.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
<< Oh yeah I was gonna say! So Christmas is a holiday at the end of the last month of the year, people get together and exchange presents, but Papi being Papi he took that and threw on the whole Western thing about a gigantic family dinner. Technically it's two dinners, one early one for us and a whole feast for the staff, so you and Fenyx'll want to show up around noon to make sure. How'd your talk with him go? I guess well if he's invited you to Christmas... >>

"That you do," Goro chuckles at Chrono's comment... then his eyebrows rise when the boy offers to help in the kitchen. "Chrono-kun, I have no idea where my Sunshine found you, but damned if I don't know a couple folk who wish their daughter's boyfriend was half as diligent. I'm sure the dishwasher could use a break, if you don't mind; poor kid's been run ragged since he clocked in."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown gave a small nod. "Right away. Fenyx, wait here for now, okay?" he said before picking up the bird and gently moving her to rest on the back of the couch. "We'll be back as soon as we've finished and don't worry, I'll bring you on our date."

Because nothing said romance like a girl's boyfriend bringing their bird.

He then headed down with him, making sure to wash his hands before getting to work! It wasn't so bad, because he could talk to Rashmi during.

<< Noon, gotcha. And I'll make sure to come. As for tonight, anything special you'd like? We could see a movie, go out to eat, or I could take you flying around the city and we could work on spell development. >> Because magic was COOL! And his girlfriend was cool.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
The dishwasher is, indeed, relieved to get relief, and spends the entire time Chrono is on-station just sitting on a stool having an iced drink. Because while the kitchen can take care of itself, a very busy night means it's easy for the cleaning station to get backed up. Fortunately the combination of high-power sprayer and high-speed dishwasher means it's not *impossible* to keep up with the volume of dirty dishes, but it *is* hot, muggy, exhausting work.

...Work that is lightened, just a bit, by Rashmi stealing a smooch on the cheek a couple times, in front of all the kitchen staff, when she comes in from bussing tables. As well as planning their date through magic telepathy, because *magic is so cool.*

<< A movie sounds good! There's a place in Mitakihara that shows older movies, from the 1980s and 90s. I know at least a *couple* of them are on Setsuna-chan's 'you need to see it' list, but I want to save The Princess Bride for one of the movie nights with her. Orrr... Actually no we should probably eat and do spellwork, you're gonna be *starving* after all that effort. >>

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown was, well... he'd done this kind of work before. Not exactly like this, mind. But work involving lots of dishes. He was, oddly, fairly good at it. Aside from needing a step stool to make sure he was tall enough.

Still, he did get a bit of a goofy smile on his face whenever she came by to kiss him. And while he'd likely need to clean his shirt after, or change (spray back from the high powered cleaner was a thing, after all), he was, all in all, doing pretty well.

Also, girlfriend kissies. Yes it had been mentioned once, but it was fun to repeat.

<< That'd be fun. Pretty much anything I can do with you is, though. >> Yes, he had it bad. << Perhaps we could run through some basic simulations with your magic? Those are always fun and can help you see which part of an individual spell you'd like to develop. >>

Rashmi Terios has posed:
After the last bout of girlfriend-kissies, which are accompanied by a fond, pleased laugh at the 'anything with you is fun' comment, Rashmi answers. << That *does* sound like fun! Which *ought* to be weird because homework is never *supposed* to be fun, but... It's you, so it's a good time. >>

Right about as she says that, Goro passes between the two, catching Chrono's eye and giving a look that... well one doesn't *have* to be telepathic to read; See what I mean? I never had a vote!

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown just gave his very calm, collected, 'Oh I have it bad' smile to Goro. He had it so, so bad.

It helped that he had a really cool girlfriend. << Oh, I hope you don't mind if Fenyx comes. I figure you won't, but... well. She's still learning. She's upstairs, actually. Roosting on the couch. Don't worry, she can talk to me if anything happens. >>

The moment things FINALLY started to calm down, though... and he had permission... He was OFF!

And he uhhh... May have all but picked her up and did a little spin, holding her by the hips and wow he was small but a LOT stronger than he looked.

<< Would you believe homework never bothered me much, but with you it almost feels like a reward? >>

Rashmi Terios has posed:
<< Of course I don't mind! >> Rashmi says immediately. << ...Matter of fact I'm gonna look into keeping some seed on hand for next time she's over... >>

Any more thoughts along this line, however, are promptly annihilated as she's physically picked up and spun, prompting a startled squeal from Rashmi and scattered laughter from the staff.

"Arright you lovebirds," Goro says, amused. "G'wan an' have yourselves some fun. Iori, I hope you got your rest, cos you get the stragglers."

And Iori *profusely* thanks Chrono as the pair exit the kitchen, for having saved him from the worst possible turn of work all day, and takes back over at the washing station without complaint.

<< I think I'd believe that, >> Rashmi says, her amusement a bright tone to her thoughts, << considering you've got it bad enough you *actually spun me* in front of my dad and the kitchen staff. Which, I mean, *I get it,* so don't stop doing that on my account! >>

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown chuckled and merely nodded. "Of course. Happy to be of help, Iori-san," he said... before taking Rashmi's hand and gently walking with her. Once they were outside... he gave a light whistle.

A moment later, Fenyx dove in from above. Now, how she got out, well... very smart bird.

And magic. But the important thing... was she landed on Rashmi's shoulder.

"I was going to just peck you on the cheek... but I thought I'd get a cuter reaction if I spun you. And I was not wrong. Besides..." He then gave her a wink. "I think it's obvious I have it bad for you." He pulled out his card device, to henshin... and...

"Because when we're together, I'm walking on air."

He did, in fact, study some earth turn of phrases JUST so he could make a cheesy line like that.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
Fenyx.

    Just.

        Landed on Rashmi's shoulder.

Do you understand how *magical* it is to have a bird just swoop in for a landing on one's shoulder it is the stuff that Diney movies are made of aaaaaaaaaaaaa

Outwardly, Rashmi offers a single fingertip to carefully stroke Fenyx's head, trying very hard to keep the squeal in her chest from finding voice. Tiny birb ears are *right there,* after all.

But then Chrono henshins, and say the absolutely *deplorable* one-liner, and Rashmi cannot help but laugh. "Chrono, did you *look* for that line in a 'worst pick-up lines' list? Because, wow. *Wow.*" She gives Fenyx's gorgeous red chestfloof a stroke, then urges her to go to Chrono before henshining herself.

"It *worked.*"

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown couldn't help but get a heart flutter when he saw Fenyx landing on her shoulder. Because he could see how Rashmi's eyes just lit up and... oh. He had it SO BAD. He'd get her a whole pack of birds for her that responded to whistles if it brought her those feelings.

Oh gosh he was SUCH a crushing teen.

"Oh, I looked for well over an hour," he admitted without an OUNCE of shame. "I found half a dozen before I found the ideal one that was thematic, cheesy and just awful as possible. Because, as I say, you're worth it."

Fenyx then flew up, he took her hand and pulled her along. "I also, ahem..."

And then... well. A familiar song about showing someone the world came on. "This took even longer to find." Yes, his device recorded and was now playing it back.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
THere are times when being sappily romantic aren't a great idea.

Very, very technically, this is one of those times. Because while Rashmi does activate her own wings, she's more than happy to let Chrono lead her by the hand if he likes... And then the music comes on.

For a few heartbeats, she just *stares* at Chrono, doing everything in his power to make 'flying off to grab dinner and do extracurricular homework' to be the most brain-meltingly romantic thing possible.

By the time the chorus swells for the first time, she lunges up, wrapping her arms around the boy and just planting a big ol smooch right on the lips.

Sometimes being sappily romantic isn't a great idea.

Like when your girlfriend is making sure you're too busy smooching to watch where you're flying.

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
It was a dangerous, incredibly dangerous thing for him to do. In fact, one might say reckless.

Except, now? He had a familiar. "You know, technically you're showing me the--"

AND THEN LIPS! He barely got a squeak out, arms around her, kissing her back gently, holding her. And this? This was why you went full cheesy. Just. All the silly. All the dorkiness. Was it a good choice? Gosh no. It was *awful*. Stupid. Nonsensical.

And he'd searched during class to find the PERFECT way to be stupid, silly and nonsensical *for her*.

And so he got kissies. Because she was worth the effort.

And he had to come to a sudden STOP! When Fenyx warned them 'You're about to hit a building'. Oops. But eeee. Careful. And cuuuuuute.

When the kiss eventually ended, he smiled at her with a slightly goofy, childish for him grin. "I can't vow to do everything right, or be the ideal human partner... but I can guarantee to give you an experience you can never forget, even if you want to," he said in a teasing tone. "Because you are worth every terrible, cheesy moment of it."

"... Are you two always like this?" Fenyx asked when she flew by.

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"...We are now," Rashmi murmurs in answer to Fenyx, resting her forehead against Chrono's. "Chrono I have been your girlfriend for *two weeks,* I'm almost scared to find out how long you can keep this effort up. But I love it and I love you and you are so amazingly silly and sweet I don't think I'd be able to *ever* forget any of this."

*smooch*

"...So if you *ever* worry that you're being too much or too dumb or too silly... don't. You're perfect. *This* is perfect."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown chuckled and gave a shrug. "I'm not sure. Honestly? It's... been kind of nice. It gives me something to focus on that's... not as stressful as normal work. At least, not in the same way. And you're so pretty when you smile."

"But I don't know if I'll always be able to make your face light up like this. There are bound to be stressful times, scary times. Times we may even fight, argue. Fail to understand each other. We may even get made at each other or possibly come to blows. But... our relationship will be born from the good and the bad. And if we face it together, I believe we'll make it the ideal for us in the end."

"... Also, it's a great excuse to learn more about earth culture."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
"I *highly* doubt the last one is even possible," Rashmi says, then pauses. "...Barring mind control, I mean, or possession. Or... doesn't really matter actually, the point is you have made these last two weeks absolutely *magical,* and at this point I don't *care* if there are low points. I am here for as long as you'll have me. Whatever happens, we meet it together."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown nodded and gave her one more kiss and snickered. "Possibly. But that is also why midchildian magic is non-fatal by default. Believe it or not, the original blasts were designed as marital aids, to help get aggression out between warring couples." ... He said it so deadpan... but it was SO not true.

"But who knows? The future is yet unwritten and there's no telling what it holds. There's no point in worrying, so long as we remain true to ourselves, even if we disagree... we can still know that the other is the one we're with. And few couples never argue at one point or another."

"But I hope to make many, many more weeks of your life magical."

Rashmi Terios has posed:
There's a long pause, as Rashmi peers at Chrono. "Okay *that* I know is a lie. Also really, *really* bad wording, considering what 'marital aids' are a euphemism for on Earth. Unless the married people in question are into that ki-- nevermind." Shaking her head, she adjusts her position in the air such that she can meet Chrono eye to eye -- magic is just *so awesome for a host of little things -- and smiles. "I think you're pretty likely to make a *lot more* than weeks magical, Chrono. And I hope to do the same for you."

Chrono Harlaown has posed:
Chrono Harlaown opened his mouth to say something, paused. Then blushed. "I am going to *not* look up what marital aids mean and just take your word for it," he said quickly. That could have gone poorly.

"So long as we keep working to make each other's lives magical... we'll succeed." One more kiss. "Now, I think I owe you dinner..." he gently tugged her along, a grin on his lips.

"And I hope I can always be your 'cool' boyfriend."