951/Favorite Lackey

Favorite Lackey
Date of Scene:	31 December 2023
Location:	Dorms #1
Synopsis:	Hinoiri visits Adrien after finally getting back to town. The two chat and she finds out her lackey is dating her other lackey. Cute... In a strange twist, she even offers some good advice before leaving in a rush.
Cast of Characters:	Hinoiri Kirara, Adrien Agreste

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Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara was back in town and well... frankly? She wanted to see someone *normal*. Someone who, for once, wasn't connected to stupid magic BS. Someone mundane and simple. Oh, right, apparently he was a model and stuff, but that was fairly normal compared to 'Can make moonbeams fly out of their butt'. And that meant him or Naru. And Naru's roomie was magic, so you know. Close enough.

So she was in full garb today, skirt, boots, top... But her jacket was new. Purple, with a lion on the sleeve. She walked up to his door and just... knocked, sliding her hands into her pockets and...

Huh. Maybe she should have texted him first. Nah. It was just about new years. If there was one thing Sora taught her it was... he was probably not going to see his parental figure for a few days after, anyway.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"Just a minute!" Comes from behind the door in a voice that was upbeat if not downright cheerful. Apparently he had at least survived the holidays with his spirit intact in spite of his father being who he was.

It doesn't take long for Adrien to open the door standing there leaning his shoulder against the frame in a pose that might be considered 'sexy' by some. Or flirtatoius? Something along those lines. The door is flung open with one arm while he does this lean, eyes already fixed at a certain height--Which is not where Hinoiri's face was. Instantly they flick upward, and he straightens with a look of surprise. She was not who he was expecting.

Still he grins at the face he hadn't seen in awhile. "Hinoiri! I didn't know you were back in town. How was your trip?" He asks, now looking more normal and less like he was posing to be on the cover of a magazine. "I was just about to make some coffee if you'd like?"

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara was, well, that look she was giving him was *not* the look he likely wanted to see. Because that look? That look was the kind of look of a woman who had juuuuuuust picked up some valuable information.

"Oh, I would loooooove some coffee," she said. "Cool if I come in? And pretty good. Hectic. Ran into a real witch on the third day, but other than that wasn't so bad. Learned some things, annoyed at some things..."

She'd come in. After all, he offered her coffee, that was an invite. And once she was in... she leaned against the wall, crossed her arms and gave him a knowing grin. "Soooo... who were you expecting? She cute? She nice? Well. I'm guessing it's a she. Because if you didn't expect her head to be down there I think I owe you a kick in the gut." Pause. "And like, if that's you trying to make a move on me... I have a girlfriend already and frankly your moves are *really* bad. Like. Reall*, really, *REALLY* bad. So I'm hoping that wasn't you trying, for your sake."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste gives a nod while listening to Hinoiri recount the tales of her trip. "Real witch? I'm sorry you met someone like that," he reasons while moving to the book case where he pauses to pull out the sliding shelf that held the espresso machine he'd smuggled in. At this point it was likely one of the dorms worst kept secrets though. Even a few teachers on occasion got the benefits of it so it didn't seem a huge issue.

Just as he's measuring out coffee grinds for the puck she switches over to the interrogation causing him to laugh nervously. "What makes you think that? I mean--I wouldn't do that! Er, not look someone in the face I mean," he retorts with a cough.

The mention of flirting with her though earns a glance in her direction along with a confident enough smile. "You're safe from any advances from me, Hinoiri. I know you were seeing someone. Glad to hear it's going well?" Deflect. DEFLECT.

The espresso machien starts to hiss to life bringing forth the smell of rich coffee pouring out into the cup as he clears his throat. "She's very nice. I asked Naru out the other day," he explains with a little duck of his head before his eyes flick up toward her to see her reaction. A little embarassed? Maybe. But he was grinning so broadly too that it's clear it must have gone well.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara gave a light snort. "Good. I'd expect someone in your job to know better." The teasing, at least, was evident in her tone.

As for her girlfriend... wellll... "Sayaka is doing... well... mostly... eh. Kind of. Really needs to pull herself back together... literally... but eh. We're working on it. Hoping that Madoka friend of hers she's always going on about can help her. I'm not really the best for... some of the talks she needs help with. On account of not being..." Trailing off she gave a small shrug. "Eh, don't worry about that."

When he mentioned Naru, though, she gave a small nod. "Makes sense, you both have good taste at least." Of course they did. They were her lackeys. "And probably nice for her, considering how many.... wild kids there are in this school, it's probably nice for her to have a nice, normal boy. Guessing she said yes, considering that move you tried when you opened the door." Pause. "That, or you're *really* desperate and, at that point? Hon? Take a hint. If she says no, move on and find a different mare, the sea is filled with crabs and whatnot." .... Okay then.

Adrien Agreste has posed:
"She did say yes. We're dating now," Adrien confirms with a broad grin while watching the coffee finish brewing. "I'm sorry your girlfriend is going through a hard time. Maybe she should try talking to one of the school counselors? I don't know her situation at all, I'm afraid."

The coffee is pulled away from the machine to walk over to Hinoiri offering it out to her. It's steaming, freshly brewed, and he did have things to sweeten it if she wanted. "I was mostly just goofing around. I like making Naru laugh. From what I hear her friends have been having a rough time lately as well, so I want to keep her happy." A pause comes, and he chuckles quietly. "I'd like to keep her happy in general, too. I've got plans to take her out for her birthday and to celebrate the New Years as well."

It's here he pauses recalling Hinoiri didn't seem to know the culture very well. "Oh, New Year is pretty important around here. Usually they give gifts, so you may want to pick something up for your girlfriend." At least he's still trying to help.

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara gave a shrug. "I don't know. School counselors are usually terrible in my experience. The last thing Sayaka needs to hear right now is more terrible advice. Not like they could help much in her specific situation anyway."

She would take a little cream, no sugar though. "Bit of advice? Later? Don't tell her you asked her out 'just because she seemed down'. Like, I get what you mean? But ouch. Nobody wants to be told they're just someone's pity party. And frankly? Naru is pretty rad. She deserves a guy who sees her for who she is, not just some guy who's dating her because she's a bit upset." She blew on the coffee a bit, then took a sip. "Besides, you and her are like, my friends. If you end up being a jerk and I have to kick your flank, it'll be awkward. You should never beat up your lackeys, it's how you stop having lackeys," She said that in a joking tone... but it wasn't entirely joking.

"... Wait, it is? Oh for... ugh. I hate holidays. At least christmas is easy. All about family and crap. Easy to avoid when you don't really have one. So, is New years like... a romantic thing? Or just 'get the people you care about gifts' thing? Wait, do I need to get you and Naru something too?"

Hinoiri sighed and took another drink of her coffee, ignoring the fact it burned her mouth a little. "... I hate holidays. Every years it's the same garbage..." Someone sure had the holiday spirit. She then cringed. "Err, no offense if like... they're a big deal to you. I'm just... not a fan."

Adrien Agreste has posed:
Adrien Agreste blinks rapidly at the remark about asking her out because she's down. His hands fly up defensively, head shaking enough to dislodge even his usually perfect hair. "No! No that isn't why I asked her out! I just meant I wanted to cheer her up especially right now!"

The hands lower and he glances to the side clearing his throat a bit. "We've been hanging out a lot and... Some people thought we were already dating. It got me thinking. I mean, I know I have someone else I hold a flame for but she turned me down. I'm trying to move on. And Naru *is* really great and I feel comfortable around her. We joke, we laugh, we enjoy each others company."

"It was just hard to admit to myself. I guess I got a bit nervous after being turned down by the last person I liked that I was just..." He sighs softly. "Ignoring the obvious feelings I had. She *is* awesome. And strong, and smart, and gifted."

He moves back over to the espresso machine to pour himself one as well with another eyebrow lifting. "Er. Actually Christmas in Japan is about the romantic thing, not family. You might owe her something for that too if you missed it. New Years is just a bit deal because it's a new year. A time to bring in new luck and fortune in your life. A bit of family, too."

He chuckles a bit. "I'm all right without anything for New Years, but Naru would appreciate it. Plus it's also her birthday," he explains. "So a double for Naru."

Hinoiri Kirara has posed:
Hinoiri Kirara nodded, a small grin on her face. "Ah, good. Then I won't need to stuff you in a locker or anything," she said in a teasing tone. Then pause. "Huh. And here I thought the two of you were only hanging out because you were hanging out with me. But I guess that makes sense, you'll make a cute couple. Maybe I'll grab Sayaka once she's through... this... and we can go on a double date. Right now would just be... awkward." Since... well. It'd be three of them.

"Yeah... and like... listen. Nothing wrong with liking someone else. Heart wants what it wants and all that. But... if she said no? It's not just going to change because you're leaving yourself open. You deserve to be happy, too." She blew on the coffee again and polished the rest of it off. Before walking to the sink to rinse it off and then... walking over to him, she gave him a bit of a poke on the forehead.

"And yeah, rejection hurts. Trust me, that I get. But you can't let fear stop you from learning. Besides, we're all young here. Worse comes to worse? You and Naru don't work out. But if that happens? You can both learn from it. It's only ever a failure if you fail to learn from it. And sometimes? Plan A fails, but plan B is more amazing than you ever thought possible."

However, the 'romantic' thing made the smile fall. "Wait, it IS? Shit. Ugh. Why didn't anyone tell me? I wouldn't have... ugh..." She shook her head. "Okay, I gotta go like... well. Make some new years plans. And thanks for the news about Naru. I'll get her two gifts. I'll try and get you something too." She started towards the door, then paused. She then glanced back.

"Some last advice before I go. Don't be an idiot. I know you're holding a torch for that other girl. But don't let it destroy what might be a really good thing. Naru may not be her. But just because you wanted a chocolate cake doesn't mean the apple cobbler they had available isn't great in its own way. If you take every bite thinking about the chocolate cake, you'll make yourself and the cook feel awful. Toodles!"

Then, like the firestorm she was, she was out the door. BAM.