[Private Video to Shinjiro]

[leekspins]

[Dang it, Orihime, why are you up so early sending messages to Shinjiro he'll get there in a few hours. But she can't help herself and figures he'll just answer when he's awake. Or at the bakery. Whichever.]

Anou... There's a decision I have to make, and I don't think I can do it without your input. Can you give me a call when you're up? It'll be easier to talk if the bakery isn't open yet!

Thanks!

...I hope I didn't wake you up, ha ha...!

[Sheepishly she rubs the back of her neck before closing the feed. Time to get to work baking bread.]

Comments

[ Video ]

[mortal_son]

[ He did just wake up, but he waits until he's pulled on his clothes for the day before he answers the video. Does so somewhat hastily, so he looks a little sleep-tousled still.

It's only a few minutes after her call when he replies back: ]

Hey.

Somethin the matter? You all right?

[ She talked about making a decision, but his first reaction, of course, was one of concern. ]

[ Video ]

[leekspins]

Oh! Good morning!

[There's a little flour on her communicator now, since she wasn't expecting him to respond so soon. She leans over to the side to blow it away.]

It's not an emergency. I was just trying to make a decision, and it's not really something I have a right to decide alone. So I wanted to see what you thought, since you're really practical and I'm...kind of...not always practical, ah ha ha...!

[ Video ]

[mortal_son]

G'morning.

[ Response is reflexive. He wasn't trying to be rude, after all, he just was barely awake.

Considers this, seriously, and offers: ]

Is it easier for you to talk 'bout this over the phone, or wouldja rather we wait 'til I come in? I can be there in 'bout ten minutes, maybe.

[ He'd just feed Princess fast and hustle over, even if it wasn't an emergency per se. It's something that's clearly weighing on his friend's mind, and he doesn't want her to brood over it for longer than needed. If he could help Orihime, even just by hearing her out, he would. ]

[ Video ]

[leekspins]

I don't mind waiting if you were already on your way over. But phone is fine too! I'm really not very picky.

[She's already laid out most of the pros and cons in her own head. Shinjiro is likely to have more to add. She knows he sees things differently than she does, which makes his advice invaluable.]

Really, it's not urgent, I promise! Ahhhhh, I should have waited another hour, I wasn't sure what time you usually wake up.

[ Video ]

[mortal_son]

It's fine.

[ He doesn't need a lot of time to prep in the morning, anyway. He thinks, considering. ]

If it ain't urgent, I'll quick shower and come over. Fifteen minutes. Gives me enough time to get cleaned up, feed Princess, and show up - heh - only a half hour before I normally would anyway.

[ Shinjiro doesn't quite smile at the camera, but he's trying to be reassuring all the same. ]

I was almost gonna be up anyhow. Don't worry 'bout it.

See you soon?

[ Video ]

[leekspins]

I guess that means you'll be able to leave 45 minutes early, then! To make up for the earlier hour, plus interest!

[That's not how interest works, but good luck convincing her otherwise.]

See you soon! Thanks, Shinjiro-san.

[And she signs off so he can shower and dress in peace. When he gets to work, he'll find his apron hanging on its usual peg, clean and ironed, with a sweet bean paste bun waiting for him on the countertop on a small plate. Since the shop isn't open yet, only the display case light is on. Orihime is in the back, wheeling racks of bread into the enormous ovens to set them to baking.]

[ Action! ]

[mortal_son]

[ Shinjiro has a small smile when he enters work and sees the small, well-baked bun next to his cleaned apron. He's right on time when he'd said he'd be, and doesn't waste time lifting the apron over his head and grabbing the breakfast left for him.

He walks to the back, one hand in his pocket, other letting him take small bites of the bun. ]

G'mornin.

[ She usually did this herself, but: ] Wanna extra hand?

[ ooc: sorry about the tag delay. o__o if you want to end up dropping this thread it's fine. thank you very much for your patience with me. ]

[leekspins]

[OOC: NEVER! I've been in a slump too, so you've actually got perfect timing!]

[Orihime turns her head at the sound of Shinjiro's voice. Despite her pensive mood, she perks right up at the sight of her friend's face.]

Good morning, Shinjiro-kun! I'd like that very much, thank you!

[It's getting easier to accept help without feeling like she's putting him out, possibly because this is a job that requires teamwork and cooperation to thrive. And she's also getting used to just being around him. He's good company. Always has been.]

Mavis-san offered me a job as an assistant healer to one of her deputies. I've been thinking it over, and I think I know what my answer will be. But I wanted to ask you about it first.

[She shuts the oven door and sets the timer before stepping back and resting her plastic-gloved hands on her hips with an exhale of breath.]

You're good at seeing things that I don't, and...well...I think you're actually really wise, Shinjiro-kun. Do you mind?