It was rare for Jaluna to leave her house, let alone her state. She'd had a hard time trying to get a game system replaced and some games she wanted were on sale at a store she read about online. With such a great timing, wouldn't it be best to let herself fight her fears with a game filled reward? Surely, it would be well worth the struggle! She found the game store not too far from a lake near the city. New York had always had a knack for confusing her. Bad with directions and small in stature, she was easily lost in crowds. It had taken her an hour in the neighborhood to get out of the large pedestrian groups and find her destination. Finally, with a deep breath, she carried her big bag and purse in with her through the door, listening cautiously to the chime that sounded her entrance. Her voice was caught in her throat as she looked upon the man at the counter. He was tall (though to her, anyone was really), and his red hair felt vaguely familiar. Perhaps to a game character? Probably so. "Um, is the new Harvest Moon game in?" A tinge red, she put the bag with the old game system on the counter. "Also...Do you take trade ins? It's kind of used, but...I was hoping to upgrade to a New 2DS or a Switch. Any input?" @Rawlin
Upon hearing the little bell ring upon entry he was graced with a cute girl about his age and asking her about trade-ins. "Welcome to Game Hut. I'm the owner Rawlin Sbatta." He noticed her perk up upon hearing his name. Did he meet her before? Her voice seemed familiar. "Yeah we do trade-ins but yeah we have the new Harvest Moon in right now actually." Rawlin said turning his back to her to look for the game. "Here you are Miss though it will be seven dollars for the trade in as well considering the used status. Also I haven't played the switch but i hear it's very popular." Rawlin said as he opened the register to the counter for the trade-in.
The girl definitively perked upon his name. Red hair, the same name? It was far too difficult to believe these things were just a coincidence. Still, she was there on business as a consumer. And, talking about TerraSphere offline was usually discouraged. So, she opted to give her money with a small slip of paper, which she wrote on in front of him. Handing the paper to him separately, she smiled meekly. It was a very simple note, but surely got the point across. It merely read: 'Harveste on TS. You play Terra too, right?'.
Well that note certainly brought a smile to his face. Rawlin smiled and simply nodded as he put a sticker on the game saying 'PAID' in big bold letters on the game as he gave her back the money. "Think of it as a way of thanks for all the time we spent together online." Rawlin said happily. "Would you like to go out for a smoothie or something?" Rawlin asked curiously. He was smiling very much at this girl knowing he could easily close the shop albeit temporally to go out for lunch.
She pouted ever so slightly as he opted to give her the money back. "If we're going out to eat, I think that's plenty to show thanks. If you won't accept proper payment, at least let me pay for the smoothies. Deal?" Packing away her purchase, she slung the bag over her shoulder and gave a meek smile. The idea of enjoying a good snack was never a bad idea. Lurking her purse, she tried to find a map, but realized she'd lost it again. "I don't know where good smoothies are, and to be honest, I could probably use help getting to the station after...Care to lead the way to where you like?"
He saw her pout and felt a little off when she offered to pay for the smoothies as he nodded and switched the the Open sign to Closed and pocketed some of his earnings into his wallet. "Yeah sure then Harveste...umm actually i never got your real name did I?" He said as he led her out of the store. "There's actually a nice smoothie place down the road if you don't mind walking there." Rawlin said as he offered that. "But yeah i'd be happy to help you back to the station after this." he said happily. "I just was lazy with my character as I didn't want to spend too much time in doing that but i guess i just didn't care about what people thought with my real name being there. But what's done is done I guess." Rawlin said as he chuckled.
"Oh, that's right, I didn't introduce myself." A bit closer to scarlet, the girl bowed her head, smiling. "I'm Jaluna Rolik. I don't live around here, but over the bridge." Trying not to bluntly describe her living in New Jersey, she laughed a bit, following him out of the store and gently grabbing for his hand when they were outside. Looking back and forth, she murmured as she looked up to him, "Even in real life you're quite tall, aren't you? But...I don't see how you were lazy with your character. You just trust people enough to use your name, don't you think?" With a grin, she looked back down at their entwined hands. "Oh, I probably should've asked if it was okay...I just don't want to get lost. Pedestrian traffic here can be nuts."
He nodded his head as she again grabbed for his hand like she did in the game when they left the store. "Well pleased to meet you again then Jaluna." He said with a smile as he accepted her hand into his. "No it's fine really I am glad to spend time with you again." He said holding her hand as they walked the street then finally arrived at the smoothie place. "You would be right about that Jaluna it's just my way of thinking really." he said with a smile as he opened the door to the smoothie place.
As he held the door open ,she mentally noted his gentleman's nature seemed to be the same both ways. With a soft smile in his direction, she pranced inside and looked at the surprisingly extensive smoothie list- but was quick to decide, seeing one she recognized and knew she liked. "I already know what I want. That's a first." With a laugh, she gave her companion another look. "Any idea what you'd like? I'm gonna have a matcha berry smoothie. I really love green tea, and adding fruit just makes it better!" Her excitement was bubbling up on her face, her brown air failing to cover up the tinted skin. Adjusting her glasses, she giggled nervously. "I see a lot of pairs here. Think it looks like we're on a date?"
He nodded as he noticed her bubbly personality come forth again. It was rather endearing seeing her in real life and holding hands with her again but Rawlin perked up when she already knew what she wanted from the smoothie place despite it being her first time here. "Yeah I usually get the Peanut Power here. Which is basically a peanut butter smoothie with soy milk, banana and yogurt." As they placed their orders Rawlin guided her to a table while they would wait for their smoothies whilst still holding her hand. "If it's not a date then what would you call it?" Rawlin asked curiously as he let go of her hand despite the warmth of it and sat down on the chair as their smoothies would soon arrive. "So you wanted to pay for the smoothies then? I could still pay for them if you want." Rawlin said with a smile as he noticed the smoothies were being made with the audible sound of blending in the room.
Jaluna laughed a bit as she took a seat with him while waiting for their 'snacks', embarrassed as she didn't realize she'd mentioned the date part out loud. "I-I mean, I wouldn't know? I've never been on a date. I just thought it was a snack with a friend..." Blushing rather violently, the girl stared down, but was quick to protest his offer to pay. "Date or not, it's wrong to make someone pay for something I have the funds to pay for. I don't believe in the old ways. Going dutch is fine, isn't it? It's no fair to you to pay for mine too. At least let me pay for my own...If you want to, though, I wouldn't say no to a taste of yours. How's that?"
"I haven't ever been on a date either to be honest. I just thought that we like each-other enough to hold hands often that we wouldn't mind a date or two. But that's just my take on things." Rawlin said slightly blushing. Their smoothies arrived on cue as Rawlin took a sip of it out of the straw and smiled. "Yeah sure we can go dutch. I'll pay for mine you pay for yours." Rawlin then got another straw and handed it to her with a smile as he slid his smoothie over to her to taste. "Go on ahead but i would like to try yours too." Rawlin said with a smile.
His reasoning was likely sound, but seemed to send Jaluna into a mild sputter. "I-I mean, I've never seen holding hands as something date-based. I do it wit people a lot since I get separated and lost in crowds quickly..." She had to admit, though, his smile did encant her- that, and he'd been honest from the beginning about his intentions. Her face was a mild red, much like his hair, as she took a sip of the peanut butter. "Mm, tasty!" Without a thought, she pushed her own cup towards him with his own, smiling brightly. "I don't think they go well together in general, but...If you like tea, you might like mine. I'm a big fan of green tea, you see~ I keep tons of it around my place."
"Well i never thought of it that way really. I just liked being with you and holding your hand felt nice so i just figured we liked each-other." Rawlin took her drink and despite it being a new flavor Rawlin thought it was a little too different from his smoothie so it didn't sit well with him when he tried it. "You'd be right Jaluna it's not the best after having my peanut power. But it is still pretty tasty regardless." Rawlin said as he smiled then switched the smoothies back to the original owners. "I never had tea before, well until now that is. Though it wasn't bad really I guess i'm just not used to the taste yet." Rawlin said with a chuckle.
As he explained his lack of tea in his life, she felt a wave of surprise wash over her small, pale face. "Never? Not even once? I was raised drinking lots of tea. I'm kind of picky wit it, though. But I mean, there are people who haven't even had iced tea? I'll have to make you join me for some!" Taking her tea flavored smoothie back, she sipped it slowly, savoring the slightly bitter yet sweet taste. "I do feel safe with you, but I didn't really think that far ahead. Perhaps this really is a date though, then...?" Mulling it over hurt her head to decide, so she pushed it off. "Either way, I plan to make you tea someday, date or not."
