Jaluna was getting fairly used to finding her way around New York- at least, better than she was only a month ago. Sure, subways were a pain and she was still far from feeling safe with how many people lined the streets at any given time, but it at least didn't feel like she was in a foreign country anymore with how frequent her visits were getting! After having had a long talk with her friend, the young writer had agreed to meet Kaede- who still, surprisingly, she was calling that- offline. For some reason, a park seemed perfectly suitable for them to meet in, so Jaluna had far from protested the idea when the warrior mentioned it. What she had forgotten, however, was to ask a couple things when they set up the meeting. What was Kaede's real name? And for that matter...Did she even look the same? Knowing she didn't look all that similar to her in game persona, she could only pray having said she had brown hair and glasses was enough to help. She'd admitted at one point or another to being normally short, but she hadn't said much else as she thought back on their interactions. Sitting on a bench near a large tree, she stared at some kids on a nearby playground in the park they'd decided on (or at least, she sure hoped this was the right park!). "Maybe I should have talked to Kaede a little more about how we'd find each other...Or at least brought a sign with her name, or my name or...Something." Grumbling, she unintentionally shot her fist into the air, crying out in frustration. "How is anyone supposed to find anyone in this city, anyway?!" ((@Kaede Hoshi - I'm late, but I did it! xD))
_____Reality, dreams, virtual games, who could say something was not the other in modern tech? For one person this line was seriously thin and caused so much heartache and problems she could no longer grasp difference, yet refused professional help. Kaedé stood out like a tree in a field of flowers in this city most times out of the year. Her only blending a very lucky time people chose to dress up like Halloween or for a comic convention of some sort. Wooden sandals clicked against pavement, slow steady paces followed by faint clicks of metal as Kaedé's location was given away. _____Her real appearance differed very little from her game avatar. Her black hair was longer, reach to her waist and covered with tangles or loose waxes, plastics, or cloth pieces. Her face was worn down, deprived of most sleep and her amber orange filled with a dark glow as if she had seen hell and still walked it currently. A number of faded scars crossed her expression but none more noticed than the faint signs of a scar beneath her red scarf along her neck. Her clothing matched her character’s however she had a fair few more weapons. _____To either hip rested black and white handles to katana’s, two for each side and the sheaths worn and tattered from the years of heavy use and poor maintenance. Along her back rested two Naginata crossed to an X at her mid spinal region of her back, the blades covered by cloths with dried blood. Her clothing not as loose and with the right blow of wind revealed her muscled frame hidden beneath. If you looked past all this however Kaedé looked no different from in Terrasphere. _____Kaedé was here to meet Harveste, however the girl was still trapped in her own mind at times and did not consider to look less dangerous or, well drink to be more herself in personality and the way she walked. Focus moved with every sound, hands resting on her weapons as if anyone in the area would attack her and she would meet them with cold steel. Parents moved their kids to stay out of her path and some got out their phones to get pictures. _____Kaedé ignored them, she had seen enough of the internet to know that within the town some called her ‘the lost ghost of japan.’ A girl who walked around mostly at night dressed like she was still in the past and always looked lost in present day or searching for someone or something. Not always untrue as most her drunken roaming was spent chasing mirages of Athea around town or for the next bar. Today however was not such as she strolled the park in search for Harveste some Kaedé held dear enough not to hide herself behind rum for their first real world meeting. ”If I don’t find her within the hour… Maybe it was for the best… @Harveste is better off just seeing the reflections of the past…”
For once in her life, Jaluna was thankful for her unusually sensitive hearing. It had let her hear her online name being mused from the mouth of a woman, which helped her locate just where to look from her spot on the bench. Glancing towards the seeming stranger, she was rather surprised to find that in real life, Kaede looked nearly identical to the world they'd met in, aside from the multitude of weapons and being a bit more exhausted in appearance. Jumping off the bench, she ran (albeit rather slowly) towards her, waving eagerly despite a rose tinted face. "Kaede~!" Her voice was a whisper in it's own way, attempting to carry on the wind but failing quite wonderfully. As she spoke, however, she was getting nearer to the woman she sought out, and ended up hugging onto her immediately. "Kaede~ I found you!" Unaware of any glances from the onlookers, Jaluna was far from able to comprehend that in New York, this girl was a commodity. She did hear mumbling of nearby mothers, however, and pouted. They seemed to think she was a child because she was still on the small side- but more importantly, they were saying some pretty rude stuff considering it was the twenty-first century. "Oh, I just realized, it's hard to recognize me like this isn't it? I don't look even a little bit the same after all...But Kaede looks so similar, it's almost spooky. Makes me feel like I'd fit better wearing a purple wig." Her words were spoken with soft giggles, her arms still latching on even if she opted to move to merely hugging onto Kaede's arm rather than her entire torso. "I should've realized beforehand to give you a picture or something. Sorry about that...But more importantly, are you okay? You look really tired. Did you have trouble sleeping?"
_____The sudden approach was not so easily allowed as the girl might have hoped. Kaedé moved quickly to draw two blades and keep them between her and the girl who seemed to know her name. Her eyes flickering with unease trying to understand how someone knew her name despite her not recalling them. Was it another annoying person who came to ask her to revisit the events of SAO, or one of her parents people ready to drag her back home, no longer able to deal with her ‘needing space’ excuses. _____It was not until the mention of a purple wig that got Kaedé to lower her weapons enough to not seem likely to take the girl’s head. Slowly sheathing the weapons as she looked at the girl with squinted eyes before leaning in to kiss her lips softly but with some detail of passion before she leaned back with a faint smile but tired eyes. ”Harveste? You’re taller than in the game. You look like an entirely different person…” Kaedé's voice was warm, but clearly held a lingered pain that was not going to fade any time soon as she reached out to hug the girl finally. ”Welcome to New York I guess I’d need to say. As for sleeping… Well I can’t exactly stay asleep or fall asleep most times so nothing in my control I can do about that.” _____Kaedé would try to smile again but her muscles not wanted to set the effort into the action. If Harveste was close still Kaedé would reach to give her butt a quick feel to help ‘assure’ the girl this was Kaedé and not someone different. Moving her hands up unless the girl wanted to hold it before she started to walk around again. ”So where would you like to go from here? There is some good bars, a nice shopping mall, Oh there was also a place where you can be served by cute girls in maid outfits… Or maybe you want to go to my place and have some fun?” _____Kaedé was mostly trying to tease @Harveste but all options seemed to cheer Kaedé up a bit. Anything to get her mind off the normal suffering was better than trying to deal with everything on her mind.
She couldn't say she wasn't afraid from the blades pointed at her, but what she feared more in all honesty was the looks it received. What surprised her the most was that none of the onlookers seemed all too eager to pull at their phones having seen such a sight. Was Kaede well known enough to normally be aware not to bother her? Before she could say a word, however, she found that the moment the blades were returned to their sheathes, her lips had been claimed rather quickly. Although her cheeks did naturally retain a rosy complexion from the sudden act, she didn't struggle against it. If anything, she returned it rather happily. Yep! This was the Kaede she knew! "I'm just glad I didn't get lost this time. New Jersey isn't too far, but it's not like I come here as often as most expect of someone in my area, but I have been coming to the city more regularly for small events and such. I much prefer coming for reasons like today, though." As she wrapped her arms more easily around the woman now, she happily snuggled her head into Kaede's chest. "Sorry for startling you like that. I hadn't thought to warn you about it, or even remember to tell you my proper name. But even if I'm a little taller, you're still tall to me. Tall and lovely." Pulling away for a moment, she smiled giddily, a giggle in her throat. "Though it's a shame I can't tell if you smell as sweet now." It was an unfortunate fact, to the young woman. Smells just evaded her in reality, even though she had rather enjoyed getting to bask in it in the game. "Hrm...On the one hand, a snack would be rather nice, but on the other hand...I can have you as a snack if I choose the last one. If I say to get a bite first, can I still go home with you afterward?" As Kaede began to move, Jaluna wrapped a hand around one that was easily accessible of the other woman. "What is your proper name, anyway, Kaede? My actual name is Jaluna. As you said, I look pretty different...But I don't act very different I think, so at least that won't cause too much harm." Her words were softly spoken, however- she was far less audible in reality, she realized. "Though I guess I'm a bit quieter...That and missing your smell are different, I suppose."
”My name is Kaede Hoshi… I was not exactly the best at coming up with names for things… As for getting a bite to eat it does sound good, and for dessert I'm sure we can work something out.~” _____Kaedé turned to smile at Harveste, even if she was given her real name she felt better sticking with her game name for now. Reaching her currently wrapped hand to get a nice butt squeeze to mess with @Harveste but chose to keep her hand softly gripping that spot as she walked, it was far better than having both hands ready to attack someone as they walked around. Slowly though they would exit the park to the lot for parking and Kaedé would approach a jet black motorcycle and unlock the helmet and offer it to Harveste. ”I’d advise you hold on tight, fall off from one of these hurts like hell, I can show you my scars to prove it. But some are along my thighs and back, rolling only makes it worse I should note.” _____Without much else said Kaede would hop onto the motorcycle and start revving the engine waiting for her company. If Harveste did hold jump on and kept a firm grip Kaede would back out before driving off towards the exit, her scarf raised to cover her mouth and a set of goggles over her eyes to be somewhat safer. She enjoyed her bike better than her car she had, more freedom and easier to get off if something goes south. _____Jaluna would be in for a ride as Kaede drove around the city weaving around cars while not overly breaking rules, outside speeding and flipping people off who cursed at her for passing them. But after a good five minutes of speeding and Kaede being rude to men they reached the cafe and Kaede parked her bike in the back beside in the manager’s reserved spot. If Harveste looked she would see Kaede’s name on the spot plate and Kaede would grin a bit. ”Took some time to buy the place from the old owner, not to mention getting it renovated and fixed up since it was left in bad shape. But now i get my little slice of Japan in the USA.” _____Kaedé would offer to help Jaluna off the bike and her hand to escort her to the front of the building. ‘Hoshi café’ Not the most creative name but something Kaedé was proud wash her own, and not something her parents got her. Opening the front doors would draw a playful chime of bells before the smell of dessert mostly flooded the area. The layout was like most cafe’s but the theme was Japanese. Four maids waited near the entryway and each bowed before noticing it was Kaedé and doing a second bow. ”Welcome back Kaedé, I see you got another girl toy… but you don’t even look drunk yet…” _____Three of the maids got waved away after the comments from the one in the center. Her red hair and blue eyes seemed so different but as she looked to Jaluna she winked and waved them towards the back before leading the way. ”Be careful around Kaedé, she might look sleepy but I have never seen someone strip a girl as fast as she does. Not to mention keeping your guard up or she will do god imagine to you at every chance.” Kaedé laughed faintly rushing forward to hug the girl from behind before spinning her around and resting her head on the girl’s shoulder who kissed her cheek playfully. ”This is Scarlet, my head of staff… And my go to for a fun time and a challenge.”
Jaluna was sort of upset she hadn't thought about how they'd get around herself, and could only hug rather tightly before the motorcycle even began to move after the helmet was on. Her hearing, ever excessive, was not usually something she liked to mix with vehicles- especially ones that were stereotypically louder than a car which, when revved, were already loud enough. In this case, the anxiety it fed through her bloodstream just made her hug closer than she usually would have, however. In a way, perhaps the exuberant sound was helpful for her health, in this moment. As she was still dizzied a bit while getting off their transport, she fell slightly against her guide, a timid laughter leaving her lips as she took it as a good opportunity for another hug. As she was given realization that Kaede was taking her to a cafe that she herself owned, she couldn't help giggling softly at the explanation. "As someone who has regrettably never been, I'll be able to enjoy the experience extra then, won't I?" As they entered and she was greeted by staff, she watched vacantly when the three that rushed away did so, but was trying not to pout as Kaede got comfortable with whom she could only assume was a good friend- until it was later explained. What was more interesting, in reality, was what the woman tried to warn her, which made her laugh. "I'm not a toy, but you already promised to play with me today, Kaede~" Her words were said in an unusually familiar singsong tone. Singing hadn't been an unbelievable choice of skill in the game in which they met, she'd realized not long after singing in the real world with the help of Kaede's reminders for singing from the heart. Now, whenever she spoke, she tended to have a tune to her words when they meant more to her than others. At least, it was something she'd noticed, anyway. "It's nice to meet you, Scarlet," She finally mused, less jealous and more happy to see Kaede in a good spirit. She introduced herself carefully, holding a hand out, uncertain the best method to greet her. "I'm already aware how she can be, but...I'll try to make sure she both has her fun and has some rest. You can be certain of both. She's special, after all, to me. I wouldn't be here if she weren't such. I hope to learn a lot more about the places dear to her today, too, and people dear to her, too. Like you! I hope we can get along swimmingly for that reason as is."
_____Scarlet only looked over Jaluna for a few moments before accepting the handshake with a smile. Waving them to the table as Kaedé sat down and happily tapped beside her hoping @Harveste would sit close so she could be closer to the girl, a slight pout on her face if she was say across from however. ”More worried about you than her dear, you don’t pin me for the type to stay sane when you get ‘played’ with. Anyways I’ll be back in a bit or you can wave if you need me.” Scarlet would set down menus for them before bowing and walking away. Kaedé only growling a bit before she spoke softly. ”She never calls me master when I come in as a guest… And she only bows when greeting me because she has no idea who is coming in… But she does do well with the guest and the other staff like her… ...Oh sorry… maybe taking you to the spot I own was not the best idea ha-ha.” _____Kaedé would blush lightly before hiding her face in the menu. She already knew what she wanted to order but mostly wanted to hide her expression from Jaluna. On the Menu it seemed to have most common dishes, a few lover specials, and ‘Manager's choice’ in small fine print hidden to most people. Mostly because the maid did not always like that order and asked it be shrunk and only allowed if Kaedé was on the clock to do it. That fact being listed in the print if Harveste could read it. After a few minutes Scarlet would return ready to find out what they wanted to drink. Her focus mostly on Jaluna since Kaedé was predictable. ”Water for Kaedé, and her order is likely going to be banana Sunday… so what about you mistress?”
Taking the seat next to Kaede when it was pat, the girl smiled easily and leaned against her slightly while trying to read the menu. For her, while she wanted to sit so she could see the other woman, she rather liked her warmth, and found it quite comfortable at her side. "Thank you," she made sure to muse, before enjoying her comfortable spot. She needed the comfort as she read, after all. Jaluna had never been good with making decisions. In fact, indecisiveness was one of her worst qualities and she knew it- she was the type who, when faced with a decision, could spend an hour struggling. Luckily, she had an easier time with menus. Why? Because she was also fitting of her familial stereotype- she always looked at the cheapest things, first. It was actually while trying to find the lower prices and compare them that she noticed something rather small. It required her to basically pull the menu directly against her nose (not fully, but mostly) just to read it. "What's this fine print...Wait...Manager's special? So this is what Kaede would normally recommend, then, isn't it?" By the time the woman had come to take their order, she'd already decided what she wanted. What a nice change of pace! "Um, an iced tea and a manager's special, please. I'm curious what it is she'd recommend." It was strange to her, though, that the print had been so small. Grinning, proud of herself for finding it, she glanced to Kaede cheerfully. "I'm lucky I always try to read the fine print. I almost missed out on something extra special, didn't I?"
_____Scarlet looked ready to inform Jaluna about the special before Kaedé waved it off behind the girl’s back so she did not see what Kaedé was trying to do, a smile across her face as Scarlet sighed lightly and went to go inform the chef and get the drinks for them. Kaedé happily hummed beside the girl and hugged her slightly before she chose to speak up. ”You either have nerves of steel, or forgot to read that the manager has to be in for that special.~” Kaedé would pull the girl closer until she was sitting on her own lap before resting her head on the girl’s shoulder and whispering happily. ”It is a decent sized meal but the manager gets to feed it to you, me cuffing your hands behind your back is your choice though.~” _____Kaedé would happily hum waiting to see Jaluna’s reaction to all of this. Scarlet walking back with their drinks and sighing lightly again if Jaluna was sitting on Kaedé's lap. ”If any point this woman begins to go to far Mistress we found it best to blow behind her left ear to get her to stop.” Kaedé's face turned a new shade before she growled at Scarlet for saying something about that. The only reaction she got was a laugh and wave to @Harveste before she walked away to help other guest. ”Wh… What she said is not true… I… Ignore her…”
The sudden change in position and the hug both startled and excited her. The main reason it startled her wasn't even that she'd been moved. Well, perhaps it was part of it. What really worried her? Jaluna knew she was a bit heavy. The last thing she wanted to do was harm Kaede from being a bit much for her lap. Then again, Kaede appeared pretty strong, and she was far from complaining. In fact, she was seemingly more concerned by Jaluna's decision. "Well I mean, normally it would require a manager to be there if it's a manager's special. Sometimes that changes..." Her words, however, hadn't quite grasped the situation yet. Though, even then, being fed didn't necessarily bother her. "Here's a question you may or may not have gotten about that before...Does that mean I get to feed you too? I'd like to keep my hands free to do that." Though, on the other hand, she hadn't experienced handcuffs before in any fashion of their use. It could very well be interesting to experience later on- but that was a different conversation all together. "Though...If manager's special just means I get to be treated specially by the manager, I guess that does leave more questions in a way, huh?" Taking a sip as she was given her iced tea, she giggled from Scarlet's word of warning. She'd surely keep in mind the 'weakness' she was taught, but wouldn't likely need to use it unless to tease Kaede later. That was more for her own personal fun. "True or not, it's rather cute if you ask me."
”Sadly most chose not to feed me during it, nor do I allow it if they try. I don’t mind feeding others with a fork but them feeding me I don’t enjoy in the slightest.” _____Kaedé's voice was serious as she spoke about the conditions of the manager special. Her frame moving to press against Jaluna’s back before she wrapped her arms around the girl to pull her more into the hold whispering softly. ”Most times I have to sit across from them due to laws, but since I’m not on the clock… And it is you… Should be fun.~” Kaedé smiled as she rested her head on @Harveste calmly reaching to sip her water before petting the girl’s head and happily humming. ”I should have asked for the VIP room… having you so close is making it hard to follow our agreement.~” _____Kaedé mused to Jaluna, she was not so dense to ignore the sing-like tone of the girl’s voice so far. Hands slowly rubbing the girl’s outer left calf as she lightly kissed Jaluna’s cheek and licked the edge of the girl’s lips before she heard Scarlet coughing and pointing to the most annoying sign she was forced to set due to majority vote. ‘No kissing, or excessive touching outside VIP area.’ in Bold red letters with ‘Yes even you Kaedé.’ in black below it. Mumbling to herself before she let go of Jaluna’s calf and pouted.
"Isn't there a different way I could feed you?" Her thoughts, unfortunately, were countered by the sign soon shown to them to remind Kaede to keep her touching to a minimum. "How much do VIP rooms cost, you think? I was looking forward to getting to feed you, too..." A fork wasn't always needed to share snacks, after all. Although she'd been giggling from the hand at her calf, she let out a soft sigh as it left her. She remained comfortably in Kaede's lap, not wanting to move, leaning herself somewhat against her. "Would it be better for you if I moved across? I find it comfy here, but I would get to look at you more, so it has its perks no matter where I sit. The perk is being with you."
_____Kaedé held the girl close to her, sure she was to keep touching to a minimal, and she was asked to not push the girl while in the public eye but she still wanted to hold the girl. ”Your not moving until one of us has to pee or we are leaving.~ As for the VIP room I’m banned from them ha-ha… One time a girl who asked for the special and me got a little too loud in there.~” Kaedé happily chimed recalling that rather fun girl who had one of the cutest moans she ever heard at that time. _____By the time Scarlet returned with the food she would set down a plate with French fries, a cheeseburger, and a few condiments should Jaluna want to add them. A knife and fork also set down as Kaedé could only laugh, she forgot to change it from last week’s special it seemed. Kaedé's food was set in a bowl, a banana split with strawberry syrup covered almost in a layer over the dessert treat. Picking up her spoon and getting a bite of the ice cream as she hummed happily before setting it down in her food and getting a fry to offer Harveste with a smile. _____They would have a decently salty, yet a sort of mellow sweetness at the same time. The crunch from slightly over frying, and yet somehow also easy to chew. Kaedé was weird with some of the specials, well almost all of them for that matter. Getting another scoop of her sundae before offering @Harveste another fry if she wanted it from her, a spoon full of her food still in her other hand. If the girl wanted to try the sundae it would taste so sour despite the appearance.
"I wouldn't get very loud myself, but that's because I'm actually really sensitive to noise. I'm surprised I was able to handle the motorbike..." Laughing timidly, the girl took the first french fry into her mouth, licking her lips to retrieve any of the mild salt that lingered upon them. "Huh, I haven't had sweet fries like these since that last time I had sweet potato fries. But these look like normal ones..." Shaking off her curiosity, she enjoyed the next fry to linger at her lips, enjoying the taste and giggling merrily. Something about this 'special' certainly fit the term, but if anything, it more felt as if she was being treated specially- which, in it's own sense, made her happy. Seeing the spoon of sundae lingering near Kaede's mouth, Jaluna smiled with a curious eye. "May I taste it? I may not be allowed to kiss you right now, but this way it's like I get to indirectly...Until I get to properly later. Plus, it looks tasty. I do love sweets." It took all her control not to blurt out an adorably corny addition to that statement. All her self-control and then some. "May I?"
