ladytakamaki | inbox ( recolle )

Sometimes, but I've definitely tried it more than once.

[the people at the shop seem to recognize him. At least one of them says something to him in Chinese, and he responds back easily. The guy points them to a booth and says something back. Mako glances at Ann]

He says he'll get us some menus in a minute. But we can sit there.

[which he does!]

And you're telling me... This week's been a nightmare. This afternoon was bad, but earlier I got knocked off a roof by one of the monsters. I'm lucky I didn't break anything then.

Oh! You speak Chinese?

[ cool cool! she didn't know.

the booths are pretty comfortable, kind on her back. she could almost fall asleep here from the combined comfort and exhaustion. ]

You got knocked off a roof?! What were you doing up there in the first place? How did you not break anything?

[ IS SHE BEING A MOTHER HEN?? maybe.... ]

Yeah-- my mom and dad were from there. I try to keep up with it, but I'm not as fluent as I was as a kid.

[this is a lie. he's totally fluent. he just feels like he isn't because he occasionally runs across a word he doesn't recognize. But, the waiter sets the menus down for them after that. He wasn't kidding about just a minute.]

It's... We ran into these ghosts that if you touched them, they made you feel bad about yourself. I'd just one-hit-KO'd this stealing cow, and accidentally touched one. The girl I was with took it as a point of personal insult that I was downplaying what had just happened, and decided to go to the roof to call another monster that I could one-hit-KO.

[he sounds... exasperated? amused? a little of both?]

We got in over our heads with that one.

Yeah, I get you. I'm that way with Japanese. My dad's from there and I used to be able to speak it pretty well, but...not so much anymore.

[ that's actually true! ann usually talks to her parents in only english and never really gets the chance to use japanese. she's...kind of lost it. ]

Oh, those stealing cows are so annoying! I would've had my phone broken because of them if Chiyo hadn't caught it for me!

[ but otherwise, uh. ]

...Yeah, okay, maybe just a little. Sheesh, you're a lot more reckless than you look, aren't you?

[ teasing, of course! ]

[he looks like he might protest that one. He knows he has somewhat of a reckless streak... But normally, he's a careful planner Then, he shrugs.]

Sometimes, I guess.

Anyway, that's cool. There's a pretty big community of Japanese people here, huh? [he knows he's heard it a lot, spoken at the office, and it's hard not to notice it. But, then again, he tends to stay in his cultural circles as much as possible.]

You and my brother would probably get along. He doesn't really speak it either.

Yeah. A lot larger than anyone would expect.

[ most of the classmates she's met are japanese, but ironically, she's never actually spoken the language with them. truth be told, she'd be embarrassed to because of her lack of proficiency, but it'd be nice to find a practice partner. ]

Is he your younger brother?

Yeah. [ok he won't talk about his parents, but he absolutely will gush about his baby brother if you let him, so don't let him]

He's attending college out of state right now. He got a partial scholarship for football. [Mako foots the rest of the bill, tbh.]

[ she's going to let him. ]

Oh, that's so cool! Is he going pro then? You two sure are athletic, huh?

[poor Bolin. Mako leans forward, resting his elbow on the table as he gestures]

I don't know. I know I'd rather he do something practical, but he's a good showman. He makes me look bad with how good he is at inspiring people. So, I wouldn't be surprised if he goes into radio or acting, or something like that.

[he's a mother hen, but mostly... he really wants Bolin to do what will make him happy.]

Acting, huh?

[ ann sounds a little...uncomfortable when she says it, but quickly brushes it off. strange. ]

If he does, I can totally help him out. My mom's an actress so we actually have a lot of connections in the industry. And hey, if he's good at it? That's more than practical enough.

[he catches that discomfort. It was, well, hard to miss.

He nods at her offer-- and then the waiter comes up, and asks him something. All he does is nod, and the guy writes something down.

To her, he asks in English, "Are you ready to order, miss...?"]

[ ann orders what's indicated as the most popular item on the menu. if it's popular then it should be good, right. the waiter fills up their waters and leaves immediately after.

she turns to look back at mako, taking a sip of her water. ]

Hey...can I ask you something? Have you gotten really...weird memories before from Retrospec?

Edited 2017-08-14 19:40 (UTC)

[yes, yes he has. He looks a little surprised, but it vanishes from his face really quickly.]

I've gotten a few, actually. And I'm definitely not the only one.

[well, he's gotten one violent one and a bunch of benign... but weird ones.]

Is everything alright?

Yeah. I figured...

[ she's definitely not alone in this boat but where does she begin to explain the memory she'd gotten? ]

Sort of. I mean...it's...more disturbing than anything, I think. I talked to a few people about it already, but I just... I can't get it out of my head.

[a frown. does he dare push...?

well, she seems to be inviting him to, so...]

What happened?

...Well...

[ she sighs and starts to fiddle with the corner of her napkin. ]

I had a memory of a man who was a teacher at my school. He wanted...things from me. If you know what I mean.

[oh...that's probably more disturbing, since it's close enough to real life that it could happen here.

He frowns, his hand closing into a fist for a moment, before relaxing.]

I'm sorry. [he can't say that those memories are fake anymore, after everything, but...] That's probably worse than most of my memories. At least I know those could never happen here.

He'd follow me around, call me on my phone, and I remember doing everything I could to stay away but...

[ boy, and not to mention the rumors that followed--though she doesn't remember that part yet, but man... ]

I know that he made school a living hell for me. I just...I don't know the details. Why would I remember something like that, though?

... [he sighs.]

I don't know. But according to the Retrospec employees, those memories are true "somewhere." Why we're remembering, and why that particular somewhere... I don't know.

But it's not true here.

...Yeah. I sure hope not.

[ another sip of her water, and then: ]

I don't know why it's bothering me so much... It's not really a big deal, but maybe it's because school's starting up soon, and I feel like my guard's gonna be way higher than it needs to be.

If you have a name, I can look into him for you. See if he's anywhere around here?

[a brief pause]

Do you think that'll help...?

Suguru Kamoshida.

[ she remembers it clearly. ]

I appreciate it. Thank you.

No problem. I'll get back to you if I find anything, alright?

[he tries to smile reassuringly]

Don't worry about it for now.

Yeah. I...doubt he's here, but it doesn't hurt to check.

[ a small nod in return. ]

Good thing we're eating. Food's a really good way to get my mind off of things... [ speaking of which: ] I could really go for some dessert, too.

There's a cafe near-by that's supposed to be really good at desserts. [he suggests helpfully, but admittedly... dessert is not his forte. At all.

Still, even better, the pho arrives. There are all the fixings for it, too.

Time to make a spicy pho!!!]

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