There’s nothin’ like summer in the city

[protects_the_small]

WHO:Aerith, Akane, Kel, and Kogami
WHERE:Nonah 6
WHEN: afternoon of the 4th
WHAT:Pre-Gala readiness
WARNINGS:FANCY CLOTHING

[There are times when Kel really feels out of her depth in things. For instance: doing her hair in something other than a horse tail. Thankfully she has Aerith to lean on, and in repayment Kel will…loom menacingly in the doorway as they wait for Aerith’s totally not a boyfriend to appear, doing her best Looking Out For You impression.]

Comments

[23wishes]

[Kel's hair had been fun to fix, truthfully, it's getting long now and there's much more to work with. Plus, it had given her something to do while she worked out her nerves about the gala. And Kogami. And... all of it.

Right now, she's futzing over her own hair, rearranging flowers, tucking in stray strands, still fidgeting, obviously. In the mirror, she sees Kel, and that expression on Kel's grumpy face.]

Try to be nice. I'm a good judge of character, you know. Shinya's a good guy.

[protects_the_small]

[Kel attempts to turn her glower into something more suitably neutral]

I'm always nice. And he seems well enough.

[It vaguely occurs to her to be grateful that Shinko and Yuki had been betrothed to two men she already knew better than her own brothers.]

[wassamatterwithue]

[knock knock! who's there? a small cheerful detective with a dorky haircut, a simple black dress, and a pair of jellyfish earrings. hardly threatening.

of course there's the broody motherfucker standing behind her, but don't pay any attention to him, he's not important.]

[psychofailed]

[WOW, RUDE.

Said broody motherfucker is dressed marginally more sharply than usual, though, what with Tsunemori having convinced him to go for a tuxedo as opposed to his usual suits. So he's in somewhat classier designs of his usual black-and-white wardrobe, ahahaha. ha.

ANYWAY that's about all that's happening in terms of being a gentleman tonight, though. He doesn't have flowers or a corsage or anything, and certainly not anything like a nice car to pick her up in--oh no they're gonna be hoofing it to the Porter. But he's on time, and he looks nice. The rent-a-tux means he's not even smelling of smoke For Once. It's a non-christmas miracle.]

[23wishes]

[Aerith runs to answer the knock on the door - trips over her long dress for a moment, pulls it up to her ankles, continues running. She answers the door and-- Wow, Tsunemori is cute! Kogami never mentioned that she was TOTALLY ADORABLE?]

You must be Tsunemori! You look so cute!

[And, ah, Broody McBrooderson back there, looking... quite nice actually. Aerith looks him up and down and smiles approvingly.]

As for you... I thought you'd comb your hair~

[protects_the_small]

[Kel comes up behind her and nods to them both, not sure if she should introduce herself to Tsunemori or wait to BE introduced.

Social norms, what are they here?]

[wassamatterwithue]

[blink]

[ok she shouldn't be surprised that Kogami has apparently mentioned her, but she still is.

After that momentary shock, she smiles brightly and bows.]

Yes, Tsunemori Akane. You must be Aerith-san?

[psychofailed]

Sorry, my hair just refuses to be tamed.

[Oh right, Kel. Should he let Aerith handle that bit? He still can't really pronounce Kel, let alone Keladry. He...should probably at least say something, but instead sort of waits for her to do it because what is etiquette.]

[23wishes]

Yeah, that's me. Aerith Gainsborough.

[Don't worry, she's picked up on Kel's awkward looming behind her. She smiles and steps aside.]

This is my friend, Keladry of Mindelan. Or just Kel. Want to come in for a few minutes? We haven't all gotten a chance to know each other yet. Unless you think we're running late?

[protects_the_small]

[Not quite trusting herself to curtsy, Kel gives them each a shallow bow and steps back to allow walking room into the hall]

I shouldn't think we are, usually such things don't truly get started until an hour or so after the listed time.

[wassamatterwithue]

[Akane faces Kel as Aerith introduces them, and gives her a polite bow.]

Hello Keladry-san, it's nice to meet you.

[she glances to Kogami, taking stock of his reaction to the offer to come inside, and then turns to Aerith and gives her a brief nod.] I think we can spare the time.

[psychofailed]

[Kogami seems unruffled by the suggestion. The only part of the gala that actually interests him is the museum opening part, and that's not going anywhere, so if Aerith wants to do a meet and greet before they head off, far be it for him to complain.]

Yeah, we'll be fine.

[Just gonna follow wordlessly behind y'all lovely ladies now.]