ACTION

[intothelens]

 I - APARTMENTS - CLOSED TO ROOMATES

[It all felt so much like a dream, Hikari knew it had to have been real.]

[How strange.  To be eight years old again.  No memories of their time in the Digital World.  And yet...somehow...still finding herself far from home.  Alone.  At least, until Taichi had found her and brought her back.  Right after she'd found Takeru.  What a strange coincidence that those would be the first two faces she saw.]

[Takeru had warned her, too, hadn't he?  That strange things happened here.  Even stranger than Valentine's.  And while Hikari supposed the idea of it all should have scared her more...as she wandered into the kitchen that morning, she realized she was more amused at recent circumstances than anything.  No one had been hurt.  A few less than kind words may have been tossed her way, but for the most part, she'd made it through the days confused but still okay.]

[And she'd gotten to re-meet her best friend for a second time.]

[Absently making her way to the cabinets, Hikari smiled softly to herself as she pulled out the ingredients for some pancakes.  Mixing them in a small bowl as she slipped a bit of butter into the frying pan and turned on the stove.  As far as she knew, she was the only one in the apartment awake, so she set aside just enough for a single portion.]

II - ATTLETON - OPEN

[Hikari was on a mission.]

[The cycle shop in Genessia had proven surprisingly unhelpful.  She wasn't looking for anything fancy.  No tricked out motorcycles or anything like that.  Just a simple, manual bicycle with which to get around.  Public transportation in this world was almost as convenient as back home, but she did miss the freedom of being able to ride around at her leisure.]

[Plus, it would make running errands much easier.]

[So it was with those thoughts in mind, and a bit of asking around, Hikari came to the downtown markets.  There were a number of specialty shops lining the streets, and the smell of freshly baked pastries from the farmers' market called to her.]

It has been a while since breakfast... 

[A quick stop before locating the bicycle shop wouldn't hurt, so she stepped inside and began perusing the shelves in search of a late morning snack.]

Comments

I

[trollkeru]

[Takeru had still been in bed, mostly because there was a lack of work today. He didn't need to go in and so he used the time to have a little lie in or at least pondering a few things like was he always going to work at Moonbucks during his whole time here? Would he go back to school? Would he maybe try another job later down the line?

With other people having arrived here now, he knew he didn't need to make as much to keep them afloat, so it had been a question that had been running through his head for a while. But as soon as he looked at the time he moved to get up and dressed, bed head as messy as ever he rubbed his eyes as he yawned, going to the door and opening. He figured he would grab something to eat then maybe think about getting dressed and going out.

However, he found himself pausing at the door for a moment. He was sure he could hear something or someone in the kitchen, but he wasn't quite sure who it was. He could take a stab at who since two he was sure don't work and one whose timetable wasn't always the same.]

Hello. [He figured to call before heading toward the kitchen before spotting the person in question.]

Morning Hikari.

[intothelens]

[She heard Takeru's voice before she saw him appear in the kitchen, turning just long enough to give him a warm smile in greeting and return the "Morning" before returning her attention to the pan. The butter was starting to sizzle, meaning the pan was hot enough for batter. Except...]

[She glanced at her single portion before making a decision.]

Would you like any pancakes, Takeru?

[trollkeru]

[He had walked over to the fridge, planning on grabbing a glass of juice at least. He hadn't really thought much about actually eating anything right now as he grabbed the carton and going to the counter. As he opened it he paused for a moment, looking over at the other.]

Uh... I didn't think about breakfast. But you are a very thoughtful girlfriend.

[intothelens]

[She deliberately turned her back to him then so that he wouldn't see the pink on her cheeks--not quite as bright or warm as before, but still noticeable. Of course, she had an easy enough excuse to explain the change in direction, as her mixture was sufficiently thick enough to pour into the hot pan.]

Were you actually planning to eat before you left, or do you usually pick something up along the way?

[trollkeru]

When I have work, it depends on when I need to work. But today I don't have work.

[It was a mixture of both depending on what time he needed to be in, if it was in the morning he always grabbed something on the way, otherwise he would eat at home before heading off.]

It's why I'm awake later than normal.

[intothelens]

That does explain it.

[Not that she minded. At all. She was just accustomed to hearing him getting up earlier, since his work hours generally started before hers did. That's what happened when one worked in a coffee shop specializing in breakfast, after all.]

I don't have to work today either, actually. No appointments, and I'm not on schedule in the shop until tomorrow. Isn't that lucky?

[trollkeru]

Very lucky, we could make a day of it, or at least a couple hours anyway.

[He was aware they spent a lot of time together in general, more so since they both arrived here and live in the same apartment. Gave them a lot of time.]

That's if you want to.

[intothelens]

Of course I want to. I always like spending time with you.

[The pancake was starting to bubble a little on its surface. Which meant time to flip it over, revealing a golden brown surface she lightly pressed with the spatula to keep it flat while the other side cooked.]

[trollkeru]

If you didn't you'd always be happy to let me know.

[Which he knew she hadn't said anything yet. but this also reminded him.]

Oh, I keep meaning to set up a date night soon. Just the two of us someone. Is there anywhere you want to go in particular or surprise you?

[intothelens]

[Being his girlfriend was one thing. Him calling her his girlfriend—or even one of the countless joke pet names they came up with in public—was similar enough. She was quickly getting used to that part. But there was just something about the date label that brought about a pleasant smile to her face. And a subtle feeling of warmth that couldn’t have come from the stove.]

We don’t have to do anything special. Maybe...just dinner and a movie, or something like that.

[Which, if she stopped to think about it, was kind of special in its own way. Because it was something different than their typical hangout plans.]

[trollkeru]

I can do that.

[He had tickets he could use also, so it works out. He also at least knows to not be his usual self when it came to picking what they saw. Plus, there were no movies out currently that were like that anyway, so Hikari was safe either way.]

I have walked past a nice little restaurant that I figured might be nice in Attleton.

[intothelens]

What kind of restaurant?

[Not that she didn't trust his judgement. ...most of the time. She was more curious than anything.]

[trollkeru]

Well, it looked like an Italian. Looked really nice on the inside and I've seen good reviews on it.

[Someone may be looking up stuff as he is working on it.]

II

[nevercuthishair]

(Taichi wanted something fancy, or at least something he could use spraypaint on to make it look cooler. Plus, getting around on a bike or even a motorcycle would benefit when it came to transportation.

First, getting a snack. Breakfast? Had been a while ago, and while he wouldn't drop from starvation or hunger pains he still wanted something to tide him over until lunch.)

...Where's the shops again?

(Another thing Taichi was grateful for? His sister being restored to her proper age. Obviously she'd been awesome years ago, but Hikari had grown up.)

[intothelens]

[Hikari glances back at her older brother while kneeling down, eyeing the bottom shelf of what looked like fruit tarts. The slight condensation on the display glass indicated they must have just come from the oven.]

The next block up.

I’m not sure which one is the bike shop, though. We may have to search a little before we find it.

[nevercuthishair]

Can we get something to tide us over until lunch?

(He was up for exploring. At least here, they didn't have to worry about sudden attacks from rampaging Digimon.)

Two, maybe three items should do.

[intothelens]

That's just what I was thinking. Which ones did you want?

[Standing, Hikari moved over to the main counter, where she listed the two her stomach was craving most. The individual behind the counter gave a pleasant nod before going to retrieve them for her.]

[nevercuthishair]

Hmm...I'll take those!

(Taichi listed the three items he felt his stomach wanted, nodding in return to the cashier while waiting for Hikari's items to be retrieved. That way, his items could be procured next.)

How long have you been coming here?

[intothelens]

Not too long, I suppose. I usually eat breakfast at the apartment before I leave, and I either end up having something depending upon where my assignment is that day, or go to Moonbucks. When it isn't being delivered to the studio.

[She waited a little longer after her order was prepared. For Taichi's order. So when she pulled out her money and the cashier asked if they were together, she indicated she would, in fact, pay for the entire order in one.]

[nevercuthishair]

Sounds like you have things in order.

(Taichi waited until his order had arrived and thanked the cashier before allowing Hikari to take the lead. She did know her way around the area much better than he did after all.)

They won't let us take these into the shop, will they?

[intothelens]

[Stepping back outside, she took a few bites while contemplating his question. Then shook her head.]

Probably not.

But that’s alright. We can take the long way around while we finish these first.

[nevercuthishair]

That's great!

(He takes a few bites himself, always up for taking the long way. Travel through the Digital World was much longer.)

[intothelens]

[Much longer, and with far less snack options along the way.]

[The first few steps were in a peaceful silence. Enjoying the trifecta of things that made her happy: good weather, good food, and good company. Even back in Tokyo, getting to spend one-on-one time with Taichi was such a rarity that she was determined to enjoy it here and now for as long as she could. And if that meant taking the long way around, then...]

How's the search for a job going?

[It was also the perfect chance to catch up.]

[nevercuthishair]

Slow. I might have to...'reach out and touch someone' if I hope to get anywhere.

(Not to mention, their teacher wasn't around to help him figure things out. Not that Taichi had actually gone to him on his own.

Still, if Hikari had used the system to get herself a job...why couldn't he do the same?)

Any chance I'd get decent pay as a pet-sitter?

[intothelens]

[Not the idea she would have thought Taichi to go with, but...also not a bad one.]

Do you mean on your own, or working for one of the pet or Pokémon shops?