ic; what is shipping and how does it work

[stonethread]

[Yeah, this is Jolyne. This is Jolyne just walking around, minding her own business as she keeps an eye open to whatever in the world is going on. It seemed just like yesterday when she thought she met the guy of her dreams, only for it to turn out to be another asshole who just used her as he saw fit. Whatever, not like she ever had the best of luck with guys in the first place, they all seemed just like dime a dozen scum bags that messed with girls, and just threw them away afterwards. She wishes there was someone who could just break the chain at least once.

Either way, she seems to have a bit of a disgruntled look on her face as she just so happens to walk into what seems like a little bakery, looking at the goods before getting the bright idea to actually take one of the breads that was on display and leave without anyone really noticing what she did in the first place.]

Heh, what a bunch of idiots. They really should take better care of their stuff, who knows what might- [She was saying, not looking at all where she was going. It brought her to almost run into someone, but she quickly moved out of the way before she actually bumped into them and would've caused in accident. Wow, that would not have been good for her right then and there, in fact, it would have probably exposed her for what she had just done. But...knowing Jolyne, her face scrunched up a bit as she stared at whoever it was she was about to run into.]

...hey. [She started out, walking up to them and putting a finger into their chest.] Why don't you watch out where you're going, huh? Who knows what might have happened if you bumped into my and made me drop my food. [So she says, taking a bite out of it.] I would've made you walk back into that store and buy me another one, got it? [JOLYNE...YOU DIDN'T EVEN PAY FOR THIS THING IN THE FIRST PLACE...but not like she cares, anyways. She's got to hold up her tough girl image.]

So, what, you gonna pay me for almost bumping into me, or are we going to have some sort of problem here?

Comments

[normality]

[ .. Oh, whoops. He was just in the middle of doing some weird errand for Touko again when this girl almost ran into him.. he did see her coming, of course, since Mikiya's the type to pay attention to what's in front of him, but he didn't see she was directly going for him until it was almost too late already. Why was she getting away so fast either way? Still, he's a little concerned if she's okay..

...... But then she speaks up. Well, at least she sounds like she's okay, it's certainly.. spirited, for the lack of a better word. It causes Mikiya to laugh a little sheepishly, apparently not fazed at all by her attitude. ]

It's okay, it's my fault. I should have called out to you earlier. [ AND HE'S TOTALLY TAKING THE BLAME ON HIMSELF TOO?! Mikiya you're too good for this world.. ] Do you want to get another one in exchange for the scare? I'll buy you it.

[ Even though he doesn't know this girl, he still feels bad either way - even without a threat he would have done this, really. It's like he's more agreeing out of free will than doing it since she told him to, either way.. especially since he's smiling a little, adjusting his glasses. ]

[stonethread]

[...wait, what- that seemed a little too easy if she was waiting to pawn some food off of someone. In fact, the way he comes off is enough to make Jolyne retract her finger a bit and study the guy to see if he's trying to pull anything weird on her. But...wow, this guy didn't seem like he could hurt a fly at all. So, after a minute of her just staring, she just waves her hand in the air dismissively.]

Forget it. I don't think I'd need it in the first place. I've got this one right here that'll probably fill me up in the first place. [She's still taking bites of it, now offering it out to him.]

You want some? I mean, you might not like it, but hey, free food, right? [She let out a little snrk, yeah, it was definitely free food for her. Whatever, not like she cares if she's labeled a criminal in the first place, it's her way of life dammit.] Once in a lifetime offer, y'know. I mean, this should make up for us almost running into each other.

[normality]

[ Ah, she changed her mind already? He blinks a little in surprise, as if he can't keep up with her that quickly.. not like he knows what's going on in her mind, either way. ]

Really, you don't need to make it up to me, it's fine.. Besides, I already had lunch before. [ He makes an apologetic gesture with his hands. ] I mean, if you insist, then I won't turn it down, but.. I'll be fine either you.

[ A smile appears on his face though after that - pretty bright too. And maybe a little dorky, but that could also just be because of his looks.. ]

It's very kind of you to offer.

[stonethread]

[...this guy seems way to kind for his own good. Enough so that it was actually making Jolyne step back a bit...not from how fear, but from how embarrassed she was actually becoming. A little red hue was coming to her face as she faces away from him, letting out a tiny little huff in the meanwhile.]

...what, you don't like it when strangers offer food to you or something? C'mon, ain't it a man's job to actually say "yes" to a lady! [So she says, sticking the pastry in his face at this time.] I ain't taking no for an answer, alright? Just take my peace offering so we can actually be done with it!

[She is forceful, yes, but she can't let something like him actually denying her food on her conscious, she actually has to fight for it! She ain't going to back down for any man like the one in front of her!]

...so, you gonna take it or what!?

[normality]

[ Forceful would be an understatement here with the way she's practically poking that pastry against his face almost.. but fine, fine, he's not the type to turn anyone down either way, so aside from looking a little embarassed over how forceful she is he carefully takes the food from her hands, giving her a small nod. ]

Thanks. [ .. a chuckle. ] You sure wanted me to have it pretty badly, though.. but I don't mind.

[ See, he's already taking a small bite off it too, are you satisfied now, Jolyne.. or will you continue your reign of terror.. ]

[stonethread]

[...this guy...!

There was no way this guy could be this nice to even a stranger like her. She was just staring at him in bewilderment from how easily he took that piece of bread from her. Enough so that her flushed face was becoming more flushed, as her other finger shot straight to his chest.]

Hey, don't you have any pride as a man!? How in the world are you so nice to a stranger, even if they're being an ass to you! If you ask me, I would not be taking that shit from anyone! So why the hell aren't you telling me to piss off right now?!

[No, she's legit worried about this guy and how someone might actually take advantage of him or something along those lines.]

[normality]

[ Jolyne is already catching on to how special Mikiya is.. not that he realises any of that, really, all of this is his honest thought process. It's why he does look a little surprised as she starts poking his chest like that, and his hands shoot up to hold them up to her as if to show he's innocent here. ]

I guess I'd have to agree with you that I'd rather not deal with someone unpleasant, yeah. In that case I'd just walk away. [ Although he's dealt with some unpleasant people, but that was more since he saw the good in them back there.. ] I don't think you're being.. "an ass" or something like that at all though, you know. I guess you're maybe a little forceful, but it isn't that bad.

.. Or did someone tell you it's bad before? [ Blink. ]

[stonethread]

[The more this guy talks is opening the flood gates as to why she just wants to smack him across the face and scold him about how wrong he is at the moment. How can he not see her as an ass right now, she totally is being one to him! ...but for now, her flushed face was dying down as she leaned in to inspect his face a bit. Yeah, okay, he did seem a bit...dorky...but for now, she can put it past her, seeing as how she's waving her hand at him.]

...feh, well, in case you didn't know, people sorta hate me for my attitude in the first place. Calling me bossy, or lousy, or whatever, but it's not like I can actually help it, it's how I grew up, y'know? Shit, I'd rather put all of that behind me and show people who I really am, actually. Do you know what I mean?

[Her finger digs a little deeper into his chest.] ...I guess it's kinda like how you're being right now. Too nice for your own good.

[normality]

I don't really think I'm that nice.. well, not moreso than other people would be, at least. [ STILL SHEEPISH.. he's not that great with compliments from strangers, okay, but he tries. ]

Although I have to say I don't think you're that bossy to begin with.. like I said, forceful, maybe, but there's a lot of people who are like that. Touko-san too. [ But in an entirely different way.. ] It's pretty normal, so it's weird that people would dislike you for it. But even so, if you'd like to show your true--

.. You know, maybe it'd be easier to talk this over while going somewhere for lunch or something.

[stonethread]

[...yeah, she's definitely beginning to understand how modest this guy is in the first place. But...she can't help but feel a small grin on her face come up as this guy talks. There's a certain...allure about him that's definitely making her draw towards him...but she's trying to stop those thoughts from actually coming into her head. Dammit, Jolyne- this isn't the time to be moe!

...but no, it was what he said next that made her eyes widen a bit, as she let out a small gasp. L...Lunch, this early?! With a complete stranger like him-!? No, no no no, her hands are curling up into fists, she wants to deny this so bad, but...but...!]

...f...fine. S...since you asked, I suppose I can go with you...b...but make no mistake! This isn't a date, or whatever! Just lunch so we can talk things over, got it?!

[normality]

[ He pauses a little at her answer. It's sort of sputtered and all, but it's.. pretty genuine compared to that stuff from before, huh? That's at least what it feels like to him when he thinks about it. It's a little cute, either way, the way she says all of that. So much that he can't help but smile. ]

Sure, sure. It's just the two of us having lunch together, nothing special about it. [ And he's being sincere about it, okay, he's not the kind of guy to do it just to score with a girl! But he seems pretty happy either way. ]

Come on, there's a good cafe down the street here.

[stonethread]

[She still looks as though there's going to be steam coming out of her ears from how embarrassed she is about all of this. But it's not like she can actually help it herself- this dude is way too nice to her on first contact, which is why she basically has her head spinning from how much this guy has flustered her. And the way he says that last part too...!?

Her lips are basically pursed into what looks like a half pout, but a half smile...as she reaches out and grabs unto his sleeve, looking away.]

...w-well...you're going to lead the way, right? I hardly know where some things are, and...i-it'd be better if I was hanging off of you like this so I don't get lost. Don't...don't take it the wrong way!

[normality]

[ .. She really is cute. He's sure of it now.. despite her tough exterior, this is the kind of girl she actually is, huh? That actually makes the toughness all a little more sad, like she has to hide behind it.. but ah well, it's at least good to know she can take care of herself if she has to, he'd hate for a girl like her to get in trouble and not be able to do anything about it. ]

I won't, don't worry. [ But he's smiling.. who knows what that smile means. It's probably just Mikiya being genuinely happy about all this though. ] Do you really want to hold onto my sleeve? I don't mind if it's my hand or my arm either, you know. Like I said, I won't misunderstand it.

[stonethread]

[...wh...WHAT?! First he says it's okay for the two of them to get lunch together, now he says it's okay for her to hold unto his...his...arm, or hand?! She's barely having enough trouble trying to actually hold unto his sleeve like this, but now that he's saying all of that other stuff, she's...she's...she's not even sure how she's supposed to handle it! In fact, she's blushing madly now, her grip on his sleeve tightening a bit.

...but...but...dammit Jolyne, you're going to regret this! Sure enough, both of her arms find themselves wrapping around his arm as she holds unto it, looking away from him.]

...m...mmmnnngh....j...just...let's just get there, how far is it, again...?

[normality]

[ He doesn't look fazed at all by her nervousness, aside from the small smile on his face. So Mikiya just allows Jolyne to cling to his arm like that. Even if she's looking away, it's not like it's something bad.. and he doesn't really care if people think they're a couple or whatever as they walk down the street like this. He knows the truth, after all. And it's not like there's a whole lot of people who know him, he's so normal that he just blends in. ]

Not too far. Here, come on. [ He starts walking, guiding her like that because she's holding onto him. ] It's just at the end of this street, so we won't have to walk long like this if you don't like it.

[stonethread]

[BUT HER IMAGE IS AT STAKE HERE...she doesn't want people to see her as this sort of...moe blob that's clinging to this guy's arm. But that's how it's looking right now, isn't it? And she's not exactly protesting what she's doing in the slightest...maybe she does like this feel of being close to someone after so long. It's why she's practically shaking her head furiously to herself, her eyes finally drifting up to the man she's clinging to.]

...your name. [She starts, although it comes out a little too low for anyone else to hear but him.] ...if we're...going to do this lunch thing...it's only natural that I...I get your name, you know? I don't want this to be completely awkward... [She lets out a tiny huff, her arms tightening around his.]

[normality]

.. Ah?

[ The way she's asking him for it.. it's so strange, isn't it? At first she doesn't even say more than just "your name", so it makes him raise his eyebrows in surprise as he glances at her, but then he realises what she's trying to say as she continues on. ]

Well, I don't think there's anything really awkward about this yet. [ He's being serious, he's rather enjoying this after all, even if she's embarassed.. ] My name is Mikiya though. Mikiya Kokutou. You know, like the French poet, except written the Japanese way.

[stonethread]

Mikya...Kokutou... [She mumbles it to herself for a moment, at least trying to make the effort to learn his name. But with the way she is right now, it's a little hard for her to actually swallow some things, like someone actually being genuinely nice to her for once. The idea seems sickening enough to someone like her, but...she can actually get past this just for once and maybe open up a little bit. Just this once.]

It's a really interesting name...um. My name is Jolyne Kujo. Thanks for doing all of this for me despite how I was acting earlier. I was raised up like that, to defend for myself, you know?

[normality]

No, it's fine. [ He shakes his head as if literally nothing about her earlier attitude affected him at all, like he can literally just shake it off.. ]

It just means you're a strong girl, you know? I'm glad for it, with all the abductions and murders you hear about on the news it's better when people can at least take care of themselves if they have to. [ FOREVER THE OPTIMIST ABOUT EVERYTHING.. ] So.. it's nothing but nice to meet you, Kujo-san.

[stonethread]

...you're...really too nice, you know that? [She murmurs mostly to herself, really can't believing that someone like this actually exists in the first place. When was the last time someone actually talked to her like this...? Besides her mom? No one, really...but that's because of her decisions...]

...call me Jolyne, when you call me that, it sounds as though someone's talking to my dad, and something about that is just weird in general. So, only Jolyne, got it? I won't accept it if you call me something else.

[normality]

[ Won't accept it..? Hehe, she really is special, wording it like that. Nobody else would talk that way, this girl is both strangely blunt and cute at the same time.. but that's actually what he likes, because he's seen the cute side now so he knows there's a good heart beneath the exterior. And that only makes him want to make her happy more.. but then again, maybe he's getting carried away, they're only going to have lunch, after all. But he sure wouldn't mind still knowing her even after that, he's sure. ]

Jolyne. [ He says it with a smile and surprisingly easily without a honorific. ] There, does it sound better like that? It's a pretty nice name, either way. You don't hear it a lot.

[stonethread]

[...it was... a nice name? No, no, she couldn't let herself get so flustered once more, she just needs to brave the storm that is this guy. He's so nice, and something else that she never had to face before. She didn't even know guys like this could exist in the first place! But...but maybe if she were to...]

...or. [She started, as she leaned in and whispered into his ear.] ...You can call me JoJo if you want...I only let certain people call me JoJo, so...

[She pulls away, her stern expression had now softened into something more...more girlish, something she almost would never show anyone, unless they were her mother and...someone she wanted to get closer to. And this guy...she wanted him to make her feel special.]

[normality]

[ .. JoJo..? He has to think for a moment, but then he figures it out. Of course iut's a nickname, isn't it? Since her name is Jolyne and then her last name Kujo, there's two Jos in there.. normally he wouldn't have thought of it, he's the kind of guy who just uses people's names instead of making up nicknames, but..

Hey, if she wants it, then it isn't a problem. If something that simple can make her happy, then that's fine. ]

If you don't mind [ In other words, "if you'd like it" ] then I definitely will.. Jojo. I'm fine calling you whatever you want.

.. Ah, we're here though. [ He enters the cafe with her like that, guiding her to a table - see, he's even pulling the chair back for her so she can sit.. ]