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It's a rather spacious apartment - in the sense that it had one of those modern open floorplans. The kitchen and living room spaces were merged together. To the left were two doors- one, presumably leading to Cade's bedroom. To the right, down a narrow hall, was another door attached to one side; flat against the wall was an ornate chest-drawer. On it is a little shrine in the form of a platter and a framed photograph, with offerings placed on the platter. Incense sits steeply pointed up in an ashy pot, unlit. His living room comprises of a long black couch, coffee table, TV table but no television set. Instead, a small radio sits propped on the TV table, next to a laser disc player and sound system. There are very little personal effects. The framed pictures on the wall are generic, and you get the sense they came with the apartment. There is a single framed photo on the TV table. Across from you are large windows looking out across Cantilados.

What a nice and relaxing day, don't you think? Mr. Kinoshita seemed to anticipate the concept of several strangers staying over at his house. For this reason, he seemed to have toiletries and clothes to spare. He approaches Almond with a new set of fluffy loungewear. Seems like the sort you'd get for the holidays and never get the chance to open up. "Ms. Hanamori." @hina 🌼 almond

He'd find her standing in the hall connecting his bedroom, casually studying the shrine that was set up on the chest drawer with a mild level of interest. She visibly perks up when she notices him, greeting him with a warm smile and her hands folded politely in front of her. Her server habits were peeking out--or was she always like this? "Ah, Mr. Cade~ How may I assist you?" @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He gleans her staring at the shrine. She'd recognize it. It's a butsudan, a shrine for a dead relative. The frame has no photo in it. Instead, just a pressed orchid flower on a piece of cardstock, with an autograph beneath it to the side.

He offers the loungewear bundle to Almond. "If you need it." A change of night clothes to borrow. "Did you have fun today, Ms. Hanamori?" @hina 🌼 almond

-# She notes that there was a loss. She blinks down at the clothes before taking them with another polite bow. "Thank you, Mr. Cade. You are very kind." She hugs the loungerwear to her chest, smiling eyes gleaming. "Yes~ Even moreso than I had expected," she admits. "What about you, Mr. Cade?" @li 🚭 five (kazik)

It was fine. "It was a good experience." "You are a lively group." It's almost a shame they're restricted by their stations. But, well. This was always business. "You must all enjoy yourself in your every day life." @hina 🌼 almond

"I'm happy to hear that~" she hums cheerfully as her gaze drifts back to the shrine. She seems to be observing more closely now, lowering her head slightly to get a better look. There's a moment of quiet. "....This flower is pretty." A strange comment to make, given the type of display it was, but he might get the feeling that she didn't see it that way. -# Look closer/read the autograph? @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"I see." It is, isn't it? Almond gets closer to the autograph. It's hard to read; all swoops and swirls. "My mentor," he explains. "Of sorts." "The type of person who changed me." "Do you know how that is?" @hina 🌼 almond

Her gaze seems to soften subtly before getting masked by her usual smile. "I do." She goes back to standing properly. "A special person, yes? What were they like?" ☺️ @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He blinks in thought. He's never been good at describing people, or things, or anything, really. "An interesting person." That's always how it starts out as. "A beautiful old woman." "You would have liked her." In the sense that she was easy to like. Empty people tend to like those sorts. With strong personalities, warmth. Someone to emulate. "She's more interesting than I am." @hina 🌼 almond

A tentative step closer. "I think you're plenty interesting, Mr. Cade!" "She sounds like a wonderful person... May I ask what kind of things she mentored you on?" Her head tilts to the side. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He doesn't budge a bit as Almond approaches him. No inhale, no dilation of pupils - his eyes are so dark they seem dead, always. He has nothing to say about the interesting remark, either. He's just a salaryman. He blinks. "Etiquette." "She was a drag queen." @hina 🌼 almond

"Is that so?" She lifts her gaze in thought for a moment. "Etiquette, mm? You are quite polite..." -# She seems to be thinking aloud... "Is that something you partake in as well?" she asks, referring to the drag. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"Do you think so." He tilts his head ambivalently. "I suppose so." "Sometimes I dress up in the opposite gender clothes or underwear." He doesn't seem bashful at all in confessing this. "It's not quite the same." However. @hina 🌼 almond

He could see her blatantly imagining this... 💭 "How cutee~" she says somewhat wistfully. "I think those suit you, Mr. Cade." Another glance at the shrine, particularly the unlit incense. "We should light them, yes? To say good night." @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"Do you think so." He doesn't seem bothered by her imagination, neither does he seem flattered? by the compliment. He blinks back to the incense. "..." He nods, pulling out a small lighter from the drawer of the chest. He offers it to Almond, if she'd like to do the honors. @hina 🌼 almond

Typically the incense should be lit first, but she didn't want to make a mess... She takes the lighter from Cade, igniting it with a suspicious amount of ease for someone that doesn't even smoke her own cigarettes. She hovers it over the candles, waiting until they glowed warmly before extinguishing the flame. An herbal aroma fills the air. With a soft smile, she closes her eyes and folds her hands in a praying gesture. ...She...wasn't religious. Paying respects was about all she was familiar with. But sometimes, she hopes those who are lost can hear her somehow. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He watches her make a praying gesture for a good moment before regarding the frame himself. It's okay. He's not religious either. It wouldn't be wise for him to be religious, even, when someone like him is going to hell. He just does what he knows and feels like. You have to hope that whatever lingers can understand your sentiments and see that they are good. "..." "The washroom is that way if you need it." The door next to the shrine. @hina 🌼 almond

Cade's voice brings her out of whatever state she was in. She grips the loungewear. "Thank you, Mr. Cade~" "Ah...one more thing... If you didn't mind, allow me to pay a visit to your room later tonight." ☺️ A pause, before she clarifies. "...In case someone troublesome is hiding in your closet, or under your bed. I'll check them before you sleep, yes?" ☝️ ☺️ @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He merely blinks. He tilts his head thoughtfully. .... Well, any argument that could be made towards that - he holds no opinion towards. He doesn't think Almond has any ulterior motives. If she did, anyway, he wouldn't care, either. "I see." "You can do what you want." "You could hit them with a baseball bat." @hina 🌼 almond

It's only a visit as she says. She didn't have plans on doing anything more. She pauses then lets out a bright laugh. "Aha! Do you think so? I'm not very strong...~ But I'll be happy to assist in any way I can..." "Do you have one?" Unfortunately, she didn't bring a bat with her. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

He doesn't mind visitors who pass by when they're friendly. Well, he doesn't mind visitors at all. "Maybe they'll feel bad and run away." He's just being facetious now, clearly. He looks towards his closet. "I probably do." @hina 🌼 almond

Another giggle. She doesn't need people feeling bad for her. She follows his line of sight at the closet before returning her gaze. "Oh, do you play sports?" she asks casually. She doesn't care if it's not for sports. "Do you have anything else that can be used?" @li 🚭 five (kazik)

I see. For what it's worth, which is nothing, he doesn't feel bad for you. "No." He blinks, looking upwards. "I have a gun." "But it's mine." There probably won't be anyone hiding under his bed or in his closet. He's humoring you with a level of serious consideration, anyway. "You can throw my gachapon in their eyes." @hina 🌼 almond

"That's good," she says simply. He should have one. His next suggestion gets another laugh out of her, but she muffles it a little by burying it with the folded up loungewear. "You're quite funny, Mr. Cade." "They seem a little small to do any real damage, no?" She seems to be playing along. "Are you still collecting those?" The capsules. @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"I guess so." He considers himself hilarious facetiously, but in all actuality, he's not quite sure if he's a funny person. Almond may be one of the first to think so. "I might stop soon." "Are you interested in more." @hina 🌼 almond

"Is that so? That's unfortunate. I quite enjoy them, don't you?" "I am~ After this is over, come set up again, yes? It'll be wonderful to see you." @li 🚭 five (kazik)

"..." He considers it seriously. "It was something for a while." That's all he can say. ... "I'll see what happens." "There is more ice cream in the fridge." @hina 🌼 almond

Oh? "Thank you, Mr. Cade..." She bows politely. "Let us know if you get lonely~ We can sleep in your room if you would like." "Rest well, yes?" -# Exits to washroom to change. -# @li 🚭 five (kazik) tyfrppp?

-# she wasnt useful at all mb

-# SHE was so useful at being CUTE 💖

-#