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WHO: Aunt Cass and YOU
WHERE: Heropa #16 + around town
WHEN: 6/04, and the following week
WHAT: Cass is going around greeting roommates and neighbors with baked goods and trying to destress by shopping and finding coffee shops
WARNINGS: none for now!

[1; the first day, at a GROCERY STORE]
[She did get told this was a war, so she's not quite sure whether she's surprised by all the tense paranoia and anger she's been dodging all day, but if this is a constant then it's sure going to be stressful living here. She can already feel it building up, but unfortunately the house she was dumped in isn't attached to a café, and if it's not attached to a café she doesn't have immediate access to sweet, savory, soul-healing cupcakes. Nor did she find enough ingredients in the kitchen to make them herself (besides, she didn't want to use ones that didn't belong to her). And while that's horrible, she was at least given enough to hold up until her first paycheck for that cat website.

The first thing she grabbed at the store was one of the reusable shopping bags they were selling on some racks near the entrance. Then the rest is easy. She doesn't need a list to know what she needs to buy, but she only hesitates a little to grab a box of gummy bears along with them. It's not long before her shopping basket is heavy and digging into her arm, and the shopping bags, once they're all packed and she's rung up, aren't any easier on her either. Gosh, maybe she over did the buying?]

Ugh, no, it'll be fine, [she grumbles, then hops a little to hoist the bag onto her shoulder better. Hopefully she didn't smack you with the corner of a milk carton at the bottom when she did.] It's only a short walk!

[Perhaps you care to help?]

[2; soon after, at HEROPA #16 - the kitchen]
[No matter, she gets that stuff home safely and the kitchen is stocked, various things in there labeled 'HOUSEMATES - FEEL FREE TO USE! :)' in neat handwriting if any of them care to look. And Cass is in there, too, if you can spot her behind the counter that is, crouched by the oven door and peeking in to check on the muffins inside. What, didn't you get drawn in here by the smell of them? They're blueberry.

Maybe you speak up, maybe you don't. If you do, she'll look over her shoulder in surprise. Or maybe you don't, and she only notices you when she takes the muffins out of the oven and turns to place them on the counter. Either way, her expression in the same: it brightens, a smile splitting her face as she steps over across the kitchen toward you.]

Hey! [She chirps the greeting, looking nothing short of absolutely delighted to meet you.] I didn't know you were there. Hi, my name is Cass, do you live here too?

[3; also at HEROPA, houses neighboring #16]
[There are more than enough muffins for everyone. Or enough for her neighbors, at least. For anybody living on the anywhere close to #16, they'll be getting a knock on their door. Should they open it, Cass stands there with a basket of muffins in her hands, smiling bright.]

Greetings! Hi, I'm Cass -- I just got moved into number 16. I thought I'd stop by to say hello, would you like some muffins?

[4; likewise, at HEROPA #16; closed to Tadashi and Hiro]
[But at the end of the day, later in the afternoon as it turns into evening, Cass is back at home again. This time she's on the porch, Mochi curled up on her lap as he pets and scratches his head absently. She busied herself and acquainted with some people, and that's fine. Overall, the day was fine. But now that she's out of things to do, the worries are creeping up.

Florida. Of all the places, Florida. There was a comfort in knowing she didn't get thrown out of the country or anything, but at the same time, this America is different from the one she knows. So maybe she's actually been thrown into another dimension. They sure made it sound that way, and if that were the case then it wouldn't really matter if she were in the US or Canada or even Japan. In any case, she was far away from home, and she has no idea what's going on with Hiro. For all she knew, she was alone here, and that's... scary. In ten years, no matter who she lost she was never alone, and she tugs Mochi closer to her as she wishes she bought a pack of cigarettes or something while she was out. But no, she quit that long ago didn't she? She threw them all out and cleaned up the house thoroughly so Hiro and Tadashi could grow up in a clean home. Maybe she should have brought out a muffin to chew on out here.

She sighs, running a hand through her hair. All this thinking and stressing -- she hasn't done it in a long time, and she really, really wishes she could go back to her café. Maybe she should apply for a job at one. That would be a lot more distracting than sitting at a desk looking at cat pictures all day.]

[5; any other day, at a COFFEE SHOP]
[After the adventurous first day, Cass ventures out again, this time just to find a place to relax and get to know what the city is really like. There's no way all that anger can be a status quo, right? She hopes not. Just what could she have been brought into this place for anyway? She's no soldier. She's no fighter, or a researcher, or even a hero like those people that have been showing up on the news lately. But then again, even those heroes...

She shakes her head and smiles at the barista as they call her name and hand her her drink, not forgetting to thank them and making sure she didn't forget to shove some money in the tip jar before turning to find a seat. It's busy in here, so she can't find an empty table, but she does spot a chair right over there... with YOU!

She meanders over, squeezing between chairs full of studying college students and past a pair of old men playing chess. It takes a minute, but she manages to reach the table with the empty-looking chair and she taps on it to try to get the attention of the person already sitting there.] Hi. Would you mind if I sat here? It's full everywhere else.

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[Everything the entire last month warranted a little extra brother-protection. But he'd been putting off a lot of things in light of everything and some things he couldn't continue to ignore before they went out of town for the month. But he also can't ignore how easily irritated Hiro was getting in the presence of one specific person. Who just happened to be the person Tadashi needed to meet with before they left. So he didn't want to risk them being in the same room just now.

His voice carries on after Hiro's as they walk, his voice nothing but that amused big-brother smartass attitude.]

Oh come on, you big baby. It's just a couple hours, be there and back. 'Sides, you like Jaime, he's awesome.

[Tadashi, maybe if you told Hiro that Jaime was your porter info source, Hiro would be more interested.]

[She's got to be hearing things.

It feels as if time stopped for Cass, who was surprised enough just to recognize Hiro's voice, when she hears the voice that follows. He could easily have been here with one of his friends from school. She knew that was possible. And she had wished that she might have someone here -- anything not to be alone -- but at the same time, she hoped and hoped that it wouldn't be Hiro. He may be a genius. He may be heroic. But he was just a boy and he's been through enough. So her blood runs cold when she recognizes his voice, then freezes over completely only a second after. Because that voice is...

Mochi hisses at her as she leaps to her feet, horrified and offended that she would banish him from his nap space like so, but she's hardly paying attention. She's hopping down the steps and she forgets to put her shoes on when she does, rushing out onto the street and looking around for the source of the voices because]

Hiro? [she calls when she spots the pair, too far for strangers to recognize them but she would never, ever mistake them anywhere.] Hiro, is that you? And [does she dare continue? her voice lowers a bit, hesitant, but that can't be anybody else] ... Tadashi?

I do like Jaime. As a friend, not a -

[ The rest of that sentence dies in his mouth. He knows that voice, has missed it more than he cares to admit since coming here. Almost six long months for him. And while Tadashi and his friends being here has certainly kept him from feeling too lonely, there's no replacement for Aunt Cass. Is it possible she could come here? Jaime's porter guide had specified that friends from the same world come here but not family.

He has to look, even if he is hearing things. So he freezes in place, turning towards the source of that voice. He's just shocked at first, mouth falling open. And then he sucks in a hard breath, glancing up at his brother like "you're seeing this too, right?" Their aunt on the porch of one of the imPort dorms, with Mochi there making the usual face at being kicked off their aunt's lap. This is either the most vivid dream he's ever had or ... ]

Aunt Cass? [ He takes a hesitant step towards her, still not quite believing his eyes. ]

See? So I need you to check up on him while I check o--

[Whoa. He stops dead in his tracks because surely he's hearing things. Surely he's hearing his aunt and she's not really here. He and Hiro had sort of talked and joked about her being here, for months now, because there was no way she'd actually show up. So he's in total disbelief when he turns to look at Hiro with the same expression before he turns to look at her.

Their aunt. Their aunt, the last family they have. Here. With their cat, because of course, if his aunt is here, so would their cat. But when...? When did she show up, how long had she been here and they not known? He'd gotten so wrapped up in things, he hadn't kept a closer eye on the network like he usually does, he must have missed it and there's a small pang of guilt in his gut for it.

But she's here. And he's still staring isn't he? That's rude, he knows it.]

[Maybe it's natural to be in disbelief when your dead nephew shows up at your front porch. Maybe the more natural reaction would be to rush over and grab your younger, living nephew because there's no way he could be hanging out with his dead older brother like that.

But Cass has just gone through an incredible day of teleportation and being told she had powers and meeting housemates and neighbors that were seven feet tall or had never heard of electricity before arriving here. All things considered, this one might actually be tame. And maybe she wanted to believe this, too much to let doubt actually hold her, because she'd talked about Tadashi in present tense whenever it came up here today, hadn't she? And because her shock wears off so quickly. The moment she hears Hiro call back to her she snaps out of her daze and starts rushing over, ignoring that the ground might not be the safest for bare feet because really, does that matter right now? (A few pebbles on the sidewalk is nothing compared to what her children had to go through.)]

Hiro, Tadashi! [she says again once she's close enough to touch them. Instinctively, her hand goes to Hiro's cheek, holding him there for the split second it takes her to look him over for any injuries. And the same for Tadashi, without a moment to hesitate although she has to reach up to reach him, her fingertips grazing his cheekbones. That's right; this is the face. Her eyebrows furrow as she looks between the two of them quickly.] Oh my god, oh god, I can't believe you two are here. [Relief and happiness both well up at seeing such familiar faces, and seeing him alive, but there's guilt, too, for being glad they're here when she knows what this whole imPort ordeal is about, and anger at the fact that they'd been pulled into it.] Are you okay? How long have you been here?

[ She's real. It's really their aunt here, so for the first time in over a year their family is whole again. He can't find the words at first - can't do anything except lean into his aunt's hand for a moment before he just flat out puts his arms around her. Oh god, he's missed her so badly. Missed having their family all together again. Will he feel guilty about his aunt being here with all the crazy crap going on? Sure, eventually. But not yet.

His face is a little different from what she remembers; he has a faint bruise still and a new scar above one eyebrow (that will be a story). But otherwise he seems whole and healthy. And more importantly, happier than she's seen him in a long time. He has his brother here, after all. And friends. ]

We're fine, it's fine - I've been here six months and Tadashi's been here five. [ It all tumbles out of his mouth in an excited rush. ]

[He stills at the touch against his cheek - how long had he thought about how much he missed his aunt? Once Hiro has his arms around her, all bets are off and he wraps them both up in his. Tight and warm and so, so happy. The worst Tadashi has are some heavy dark bags under his eyes and a scar along his left forearm.

But his family is here. He has his family here and that's what matters right now. Everything else is a distant thought now while he holds his family.]

We're really fine, Aunt Cass. But what about you, when'd you get here?

Six months! [That's such a long time, but at the same time she can't help but think, "At least it wasn't a year." She thinks about Armin and Jaime in this second and how both of them offered to help her because they had already spent such a long time here fending for themselves without anybody to properly guide them. Goodness, six months. She squeezes Hiro tightly with one arm and throws the other around Tadashi, holding them close and so, so glad that they were able to find one another.

She didn't miss those bruises and bags and scars, of course. Not a day has gone by during which she didn't think about and remember Tadashi's face, and not a day had gone by without her trying to get a glimpse of Hiro's as much as she could. She'll have to sit them down and fuss over them and take a look at them better later, but that can wait for now.]

I got here this morning! I haven't even looked at that network thing yet -- oh I'm so glad I found you if you're here.

[ Hiro's shoulders relax incrementally at that. Had he been specifically worried about Aunt Cass being here and not knowing about them? Not really; he posts frequently enough he figures she'd have noticed. But it's a relief all the same, knowing they haven't missed anything. This place can be awful dangerous sometimes.

He can't stop grinning against her, despite the fact that this is usually the part of the hug where he gets antsy. He's just so glad. Though, this does raise the question of living situations... ]

Network's pretty convenient. Me and Tadashi, we're all over it. But - uh, do you live here? In Heropa? [ He's kind of surprised it isn't De Chima. ]

[Tadashi gives them one more squeeze before he starts to pull away - as much as he can with Cass' arm still around them. Gosh, she's only just gotten here and she's already fairly adjusted.

Seems about right with how their aunt rolls. But Hiro's question is a pretty big thing.]

Hey, yeah. We're in another city.

[Given how ...accident prone Heropa is, Tadashi's already on the worry for her safety. Maybe they can fit her in the attic of their house or something.]

[She doesn't pull away completely, but she won't squeeze so tightly once she feels Tadashi start to pull back, relaxing her grip on Hiro too until her arm is just draped loosely around his back, a hand on his shoulder.]

I'm right here on this street. [A nod and a glance over in the direction of the house they found her on. Number 16, right next door to where they were headed.]

What about you two? Where did they have you live -- you're together, right?

[ Perfect. Hiro is content to stay close without being stuck in an embrace. This is good. ]

#1, in De Chima. I mean, it's not far by Porter at least. We've got rooms right next to each other.

At least they knew to keep us together when I got here. Would've had a fight on their doorstep if they tried to put us in different cities.

[Is that a veiled threat about them putting Aunt Cass way out here?

... Maybe.]

Edited 2015-06-07 03:12 (UTC)

[She bites back a laugh, but it's a sound born from gratefulness. She gives Tadashi's elbow a couple gentle pats.]

Well, I'm glad the two of you were together. Did you get roommates too? Are you getting along with them?

Yeah, they're real nice. The guy with the axe is the sweetest one out of the bunch.

[ Well that came out wrong. Though as far as descriptions of Shinjiro go, it's fairly accurate ... Quick, change the subject so she doesn't worry. ]

-- He's harmless, don't worry. Uh. [ A pause; his voice softens for this next part. ] I'm making friends here.

[ And Aunt Cass surely knows the full impact of that that means for Hiro. It's an absolute first for this kid - even his current set at home came through Tadashi first, never on his own. ]

Edited 2015-06-07 11:35 (UTC)

[Tadashi puts a hand on Hiro's head, ready to give him a little shove before he adds that last part about making friends. That? Gets a soft smile. He looks back to their aunt and ...then realizes she's not wearing shoes? Oh.

Carefully he starts guiding them back to the house she came down from, wants to get them out from standing in the middle of the street.]

Seriously, we've been meeting a lot of interesting people. Our roommates are about our age, so it's been going fine.

The guy with the...

[Axe? She can't help the perplexed expression that crosses her face at that, but she immediately latches on to the statement that follows. I'm making friends here. She smiles warmly at Hiro and gives his shoulder a squeeze at that, pressing her cheek to his head briefly. She isn't missing the impact of that statement at all; it was the sort of thing she worried about for all of Hiro's life, and especially in the last several months, but that didn't need to be said out loud to be communicated. She's already been reassured by a neighbor that not all things in this world are as dangerous as the initial explanation made it seem, and if Hiro and Tadashi get to be together here and Hiro's making friends, too?]

I'm glad, [she says as Tadashi leads them, simply and softly but absolutely full of emotion because she really, really is.] Do you want to come inside? I have some muffins in the kitchen if you two are hungry? What are you doing in Heropa anyway?

[It would be nice to sit down at a kitchen table with them again. But maybe they're busy? Cass looks up at their faces again, eyes flickering over the bruise and scar and bags and her fingers tighten around both of their arms.] Have you... been okay?

[ Nothing in the world sounds better than some home-cooked muffins right now. Except maybe hot wings, but. Close enough in this case. They can have their Aunt Cass' food again. Not that they've been eating badly, exactly, but ... Even Shinjiro's cooking doesn't quite compare. Hiro sticks close as they walk back towards the door. ]

I'd love muffins. Especially if you made the kind with the mini-chocolate chips in them.

[ His personal favorite. As for the Heropa business ... ah. Well, he'll let Tadashi talk about his mysterious friend if he wants to; Hiro makes a face and prepares to snap off a smartass comment when he sees his aunt's expression. Instinctively, his hand drifts up to his face where the still-healing bruise is. Are they okay? There's been a lot of bad stuff going on lately, but ... ]

Things get crazy here sometimes. And we - [ He almost mentions the superhero antics but catches himself, freezing. Oh crap. As far as he knows, his aunt doesn't know anything about him being a superhero. That ... that could be bad. Quick, say something else. ] - it's hard not to get caught up in things? You can't avoid it sometimes. [ And now he's finally catching up to his brother in worrying about his aunt's assigned city. ] Heropa gets hit a lot. There was a dragon and a plague here last month.

Thankfully there are a lot of really experienced imPorts who know how to handle and organize situations like that, so not everyone's required to step in and help if they don't feel confident enough to.

[He opts not to talk about everything else that's happened in Heropa since he got here. But he will have the courtesy of holding the door open for them, steps inside when they're in first. But lord, muffins from their aunt.... A godsend right now, all things considered. He can cook just fine, but he can't bake for anything, let alone try to remember her recipes. He can smell them from the door and it's almost like walking home again.]

What kind did you make?

[A plague is one thing. A dragon is another. Cass' eyebrows arch up when she hears those, but she doesn't feel any other reaction coming up. After a day like this, anything sounds possible. The fact that she doesn't have Hiro's favorite chocolate-chip muffins is actually a bigger deal right now. It's less surreal.]

Whups, no. They're blueberries today. [Sorry, Hiro buddy. But that's okay, isn't it? She can bake for them again. Already, she's going through in her head all of their favorites, wondering if these strange east-coast towns might have all of the ingredients she'll need, and if anything could substitute if not. God, what about coffee? She could get another press, but there's no getting the same taste if the same beans don't exist here. They'll just have to experiment.

And it looks like she'll have to invest in a first aid kid again. The moment they're inside, she takes the lead, walking them toward the kitchen where she instructs them to wash their hands first and foremost. She lingers and watches, not letting herself wonder how this could be. The three of them, again, how it was supposed to be.]

I'll get some chocolate chips to make some for you next time.

[ It's not the Lucky Cat Café, but it does look like Cass' kitchen already, doesn't it? And being told to wash their hands before eating - that's probably the only time Hiro's actually smiled at that request. Hiro will gladly wash his hands a million times if it means their aunt is here with them. ]

Jeez, Aunt Cass. It's fine. I like blueberry too.

[ Once he's picked all the blueberries out. ]

[Oh my god Hiro you liar. Tadashi shoves at him a little and - normally in anyone else's home, he'd be wary about boundaries and politeness but since it's Aunt Cass, he forgets this isn't their home and plops himself right at the table to wait for the sink to be free.]

So you've been here for a day, already settled into the house, and made a ton of muffins.

[.... Yeah that's Aunt Cass.]

Did you look at the paperwork they gave you?

[aka what powers did they give their aunt because it has to be good.]

You know me, I don't like sitting still! ['Wash your hands' she tells the boys, but she's running her hands under some hot water first, soaping up and rinsing it and hopping out of Hiro's way to dry with a towel as she makes her way across the kitchen. This way, she can prepare their treats while they wash up. The kitchen was stocked with enough dinnerware for five already but she's added some extra, too, in case of guests, and she pats herself on the back for that as she pulls out two matching cups and plates for them, bright like her in their cheerful yellow color.]

And I sure did. Didn't go in much detail though. Wanna see?

[She still has it, tucked away in her shopping bag that's sitting on a corner of the counter waiting to be brought upstairs. Her files don't have a lot of explanation on her powers, so she doesn't really have an idea what she's supposed to be able to do.]

[ Hiro ducks away from his brother's shove, grinning a little. Don't shove him when he's trying to be nice, jeez. He dutifully scrubs his hands for a moment, then grabs for a towel. Why does his brother want to know about -- ooh. Since their aunt is here, she has to have superpowers too. That idea is just hilarious. He grins more as he comes to claim his own spot at the table, kicking at Tadashi's foot. Your turn, nerd. ]

Oh man. I wonder if they gave you something hilarious. Where'd you put it?

[ He needs to see that right now. ]

[There's a muttered "ow" from the kick but he gets up to wash his hands all the same. He definitely wants to know what she got; if it's useful that's great! If it's something potentially dangerous... Another limiter for them to make then.]

Yeah, we definitely wanna see it.