genessia | [White Day Letter Response + Private Text]

Orihime wasn't entirely sure what to bring to Everglade. She didn't want to pack too many things and get weighted down in case she needed to run for whatever reason. During slow hours at the bakery, she left a pad of paper just next to the register to write down anything that came to mind.

Flashlight
Whistle
~~Water~~ HOLY WATER!
Salt?

She couldn't really think of much. Ultimately she decided against the salt, since if she didn't want something supernatural to move past a certain point, she would rely on her shields. Orihime wasn't even sure salt would work, so best to keep things simple.

Where was she supposed to get holy water anyway? ...She scratched that off the list too.

After work she bought the whistle at a sporting goods store, but she was pretty sure she still had a flashlight she bought to prepare for the blizzard several weeks back. It was just a matter of remembering where she'd put it. While hunting through the apartment, she noticed a white corner of paper peeping out from under the spice rack, as if something had been dropped and slid partway underneath. How curious! She didn't recall carrying around any envelopes, especially not into the kitchen, so she pinched the corner and eased what looked like a letter into view. It was neatly folded, and to her surprise, the handwriting didn't match her own. But it was in Japanese, and it had her name on it, so her eyes moved involuntarily over the contents to see what it was about. At first she smiled. Well gosh, Uryuu didn't need to be shy about any of this. Maybe it was just hard for him to express that kind of gratitude out loud. But really, she was touched at his thoughtfulness. It was nice to know he thought so highly of her.

But it wasn't long before a deep, tight ache squeezed her heart. Her hand rose to cover her mouth, and she forced herself to read the letter a second time to make sure there was no other way to interpret what he said.

It had to be a mistake. A trick played by the spirits. That could happen, couldn't it? Where letters of romantic confessions were sent to people, hidden in their apartments, waiting to be discovered so people would be awkward or flustered. She dug into her jacket pocket, fishing out her communicator, and checked the recent messages. Nothing. Usually there would be an uproar if something like this was happening citywide, so...was it real?

She sagged against the wall, feeling very small and mean. He'd written this on White Day -- the day Ichigo arrived. And she'd run straight for him. Uryuu had even told her to go, and she'd had no idea... It must have been so painful. How careless of her...how stupid...

The hand holding the letter dropped to the side as her head fell forward. She didn't know what to do. She'd never even considered that Uryuu might have feelings for her. Up until Valentine's Day she thought they were both alike, being in love with Ichigo and Rukia respectively.

And he'd felt this way for well over a year, content to let her remain oblivious no matter how much it must have frustrated him for her to continually pine for Ichigo. And even for that, she felt a little guilty. If Ichigo was in love with Rukia, her dear friend who'd always been so kind to her, she should have tried harder to erase those feelings from existing in her heart. Yet she never could. And Uryuu liked her despite knowing how she felt, despite knowing how selfish it was for her to love a person that her friend loved too...

Uryuu deserved better. So did Ichigo. She wasn't really worthy of either one of them.

The problem was, what was she supposed to do now? She didn't think he'd meant to leave the letter, given its odd placement. It must have slipped out of his pocket while he was getting the vase from the cupboards. Now that she knew, there was no real way to not know. Should she tell him? Or would it be kinder to feign ignorance so as not to embarrass him? Orihime didn't know. She really didn't.

"Onii-chan..." she said quietly, unable to look at her brother's picture where it was carefully set on top of the dresser. "What...should I do?"

There was no reply.

[Text to Ichigo Kurosaki and Uryuu Ishida]

I volunteered to help out in Everglade, since the situation is a little unstable and they're short on people who can patrol that area and hold their own. I said I'd ask my friends if they'd mind helping out, since you're both great at dealing with the supernatural! Seth Rim is the one you want to talk to if you haven't already. He's pairing people up, so don't worry, I won't be doing this alone and won't behave recklessly. If you're not up to it just now, that's totally okay! I didn't mention your names, so there's no pressure. Happy spring, by the way! --Inoue

[OOC: Open to running into people in Everglade, or the bakery...just consider this a big fat open catch-all!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don’t actually know what’s going on down in Everglade, but I can help out. I don’t have anything else pressing on my schedule right now or anything. I’d probably be more use in my Shinigami form, but I haven’t exactly tried using my badge yet, and I’m not sure that I really want to leave my body behind in the apartment that I’ve got right now. Is there somewhere safe that I could leave it, and so that I can make sure that my powers work right before I actually go out?

Sure! You can leave it in my apartment, or the break room next door. I can let the other people at the bakery know now to bother you. There's a bed in the closet, it's really cool! Thanks, Kurosaki-kun.

You've been doing rather well for yourself since last we chatted Orihime.

[Maribelle absently tapped her parasol on the welcome mat of Orihime's bakery, giving the orange haired girl a polite greeting from behind her counter.]

Perhaps you could tempt me with some tea cakes? Life in everglade is a bit nightmarish, and I could use a pleasant distraction in the form of delicious pastries.

Maribelle-sama!

[Orihime perks up upon seeing one of her first friends. There's a plate on the counter in seconds, followed quickly by a...what's a tea cake? She assumes it's just a thin slice of cake, so she carves a slice of the strawberries and cream and pours a cup of hot green tea.]

I heard about Everglade and volunteered to help Seth-san. Is it dangerous, or just crazy?

Yeah, of course I'll help. Will you text me the addresses? I can be there soon.

Thanks, Ishida-kun. The guardian's office address is attached. I think Seth-san is the one who stepped up to be the temporary person in charge, so he's the one you'll want to talk to. See you out there!

[White Day Letter Response + Private Text]

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[Bakery Action]

[Bakery Action]

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