Tokyo, Japan, Monday

[soniaroadsqueen]

Portalocity was weird. Ringo hadn't really traveled with them much, so this was something of a revelation for her. Somehow booking a reasonable late-morning departure from Fandom resulted in a just-after-dawn arrival in a small park a couple of miles from the apartment she shared with her sisters. Of course, despite that, all three of them were waiting.

Rika, with her knowing, motherly smile, managing to look like a carefully-styled model even this early. Mikan, tomboyish hair cropped short and sticking out every which way, smirking mischievously and tapping her foot with nervous energy. Ume, seated on a bench playing with her dolls, but glancing up and meeting Ringo's eyes when she arrived.

With a grin, Ringo dropped her bags and rushed forward into a big group hug, melting into the group for a moment. All worry and stress disappearing in the blink of an eye.

"Now then," Rika said as they eventually disentangled themselves, "why don't you introduce everyone, and then we can go get some breakfast?"

[ooc: For those along for the ride. NFB for distance.]

Comments

RE: Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[otherroadriders]

Rika was wearing a similar robe herself, with similar legs, and she looked over from where she was leaning against the wall watching the proceedings and grinned. "I'm not involved in this whole hair thing, so I can give you a hand if you want."

Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[spin_kick_snap]

Oh yeah. Not that Kathy was ever campaigning to be the hottest girl in the room, but even if she had, she would have ceded the title to Rika immediately upon meeting her, anyway.

"Thanks," Kathy said, holding out the yukata she'd been loaned for the occasion, unconsciously stroking the fabric as she did. It was beautiful. "I might need help with the hair, too. If that's okay. I want to do this right."

RE: Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[otherroadriders]

"Of course!" Rika's tone turned teasing. "By the time we're done with you, Mikan is totally going to be insisting you keep this since it'll never look as good on her."

"I heard that!" Mikan snapped, laughing.

"Good!" Then Rika reached out for the yukata and held it up. "Come on, then, Kathy, let's get you all wrapped up."

Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[spin_kick_snap]

"At least I'm used to being told what to do when it comes to fashion," Kathy said. "Ringo, have you been back to see Letty since we went this fall? Have you seen how bossy she gets yet?" Trying to hide a grin she added, "Reminds me of a friend of mine. Tiny, Japanese, argumentative..."

RE: Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo's answer was to stick her tongue out at Kathy only to get the back of her head smacked lightly by her sister. "Quit that," Mikan demanded.

"You know someone else from Japan?" Ringo asked after a moment. "I didn't know that!"

Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[spin_kick_snap]

"Yeah, it's funny cause I don't," Kathy informed her primly, standing still so that Rika could work her magic. "By the way, did we get Dante to agree to a kimono yet?"

RE: Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[soniaroadsqueen]

"I think that's going to have to be a group effort," Ringo sighed. "I wasn't even sure how to bring it up with him!"

Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[spin_kick_snap]

"Have you thought about 'Hey, Dante, wear this kimono, it's traditional'?" Kathy asked. "I mean, you know, it's the first thing I thought of, but it seems like it might be helpful."

RE: Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[soniaroadsqueen]

"Because Dante always does what I tell him." Ringo rolled her eyes. "I can't believe I forgot about that!"

Rika snorted as she slid the sleeves of the yukata over Kathy's arms and started wrapping the rest of the fabric around her properly.

Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[spin_kick_snap]

"How about 'I bet Rika would think you're hot in it'?" Kathy suggested. "Bet that'd get him at least thinking about it."

RE: Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[soniaroadsqueen]

Ringo laughed, trying to hold herself still so she didn't mess anything up. "I did notice the way he looked at her," she allowed. "So if that's where we start, what do we use to push him over the line to agreeing?"

Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[spin_kick_snap]

"You promise not to argue with him while he's wearing it?" Kathy suggested, waggling her eyebrows. "That would get my agreement!"

RE: Re: Thursday Morning - Festival prep

[soniaroadsqueen]

That sounded hard, Kathy! But Ringo scrunched her face in determination. "I would if he'll wear it."