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[mwehehe]

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sender: beat | forward dated close to Christmas

[stillarhino]

yo shorty
dyou also do kfc dinners for christmas back home

[mwehehe]

Uh YEAH I dunno anyone who doesn't!

Why? Curious about the FUTURE or whatever? Actually I don't even know if I'm from your future, it just sounded right to say.

[stillarhino]

huh yous right maybe im from your past or imma ahead of ya...

anyways im asking cause i was wondering if ya wanted to do something like that
just the two of us

[mwehehe]

[WAIT AS IN... a date???

Give her a moment to process that, as if they haven't already done that... but it gets her all 'aaaaaaa' every time anyway.]

Y-yeah! I'd like that. I kinda got something for you anyway, so I can give it to you then.

[stillarhino]

hold up? you got me something?
you know you dont gotta do that right?

[mwehehe]

Bones.

It's the RULES. Isn't that the whole Christmas thing anyway??

[stillarhino]

i mean i know its part of the rules and all that!
but


i just dont really expect it you know?
getting something outta it

[Especially considering Christmas being more of a couple thing in Japan and all that.]

[mwehehe]

You're gonna accept it or else I'll uh

I'll take your music and replace it.

[such a threat but she doesn't mean it]

Plus we're already... you know!!!! Together!!!! I don't expect to like, go see a decorated tree or something, just... give you a present and it sounds like eating some fried chicken together.

[stillarhino]

[Even if the threat is empty, he can't help but laugh at it.]

just cause i dont expect it dont mean i aint gonna take it yo
sides i got something for you too

[mwehehe]

That's what I thought!


...I wasn't expecting something back, but azasu in advance!

[....not Futaba trying to slang up her Japanese to ~impress~ him.]

[stillarhino]

[Oh, he catches that all right.]

asazu right back atcha
my place then?

[mwehehe]

[not Beat rubbing off on her, couldn't be him!]

Yeah! I'll grab some extra stuff for like, hot chocolate too since you haven't been converted to the nuances and greatness of coffee YET. It looks pretty gross outside, so why not make it cozy, right?

[Once she's bundled up a bunch of stuff, it's time to go see Beat! Man, is it snowing more than what would be normal? Nah, just her imagination... there's quite a bit of it on her once she's at his doorstep. Knock knock, Beat!]

[stillarhino]

[Even Beat had noticed the snow pouring down heavily and building up when he'd gone out to get the fried chicken. It doesn't come as much of a surprise to him when Futaba shows up at his door covering in a thin layer of white snow.]

Yooo! [A quick look past her. It's getting gnarly out there, isn't it?] Get in here. Any longer an' youse gonna turn into a snowman.

[He's quick to step aside, already reaching towards Futaba to dust the snow off her head and shoulders. Compared to outside, it's nice and toasty inside his treehouse. Can't have all that cold seeping in.]

[mwehehe]

I've already been a mouse, why not add a snowman to the list? [She'll have to tell that story... later.

She appreciates the dust off, as noted by the doofy grin and little "eheheh" that comes as he gets the snow off of her. Once she's inside, in typical home style she'll kick her boots off. Can't get the floor wet or dirty!]

It's a lot warmer here than it is outside. But just imagine the snow forts you could build... perfect for snowball warfare.

[She's never had a snowball fight in her life.]

[stillarhino]

Can't have that, yo. Don't wanna find my girl turning into a puddle a' water when it's sunny out.

[A small smile finds its way only his face as she snickers. Why's she so goddamn cute when she does that?

He doesn't seem the least bit bothered by at home she seems when she steps in, still staying close by to help put her jacket aside if she decides to.]

If the snow's sticks around, you an' can have one tomorrow. See who's the best at chuckin' snowballs.

[mwehehe]

[The jacket stays on for now, but she catches his smile, even if it's small. She's good at noticing little things... sometimes, but this is one of those Important Little Things. It makes her grin in return, but she sure lights up when he mentions having a For Real Snowball Fight if there's still a lot of snow on the ground.

Little do they know there's going to be A T O N of snow, but will they even be able to get out of the door? WHO KNOWS.]

Really?! You mean it?! You better go easy on me though, I'm not exactly the pinnacle of killing it on sports day, y'know?

[That doesn't mean she won't try to at least kind of get one snowball to land a hit, though.]

[stillarhino]

[Despite the low temperatures and the snow falling outside, Beat is dressed in lighter clothing than expected. Even if he had always run hot, being able to channel fire dreamotion had its perks during times like these.

The way Futaba lights up makes his smile wider, her enthusiasm contagious. As if she couldn't get any cuter.]

Course I mean it! [Beat tilts his head to the side, his smile slowly becoming mischievous.] I mean I guess I can go easy on ya 'til you get the hang of it. After that, I ain't plannin' on holding back.

[Sure he may be teasing her, but it's hard to turn off the competitiveness when it came to games like this.]

[mwehehe]

[BETRAYAL FROM BEAT.... Beatrayal...]

I'll have to keep it fair by using my Persona if you're not careful!

[A bluff? Truth? He'll find out tomorrow (if they can even get out of the door...) :)]

I'll have to come up with a plan, just in case. ...but only after dinner and... whatever else.

[She did, after all, tell him she had a gift for him!]

[stillarhino]

Guess you an' me's gonna see tomorrow.

[He chuckles lightly, all the more fired up for their snowball war. Despite the teasing between them, it never held any real malice. Maybe he will hold back a little, but as long as the two of them were enjoying themselves, that was all that mattered.

Moving closer to Futaba, he reaches out to take her hand, squeezing it lightly as he leads her to the same spot by the couch where they spent White Day together.]

C'mon, let's get to eatin'. Chicken ain't gonna stay hot forever.

[mwehehe]

[Ahh... this sensation is still so new, and they've been dating for months now. Still, it was nice to have someone to do this with, even if they were both new to it. The heat in the room spikes for a moment from Futaba's own emotions, followed by a chuckle. Whoops.

Once they're sitting and eating, the happy feeling really doesn't dissipate; it only grows.]

Almost like we never even left Japan! It's perfect!

[Because she does miss home and her friends and Sojiro, but this is definitely nice. Is there probably a "who can eat more" happening with this chicken?? Probably.

...Beat will win that one, though. Maybe she'll let him (no, it's not that).]

[stillarhino]

[Despite the jump in warmth at the beginning, the temperature in the room settled to something a bit more comfortable as the two of them sat and ate. Wiping his plate clean, Beat leans back, satisfied with their meal. He definitely ate a lot and has a few crumbs on his face to prove it.]

Went to the Harvest a coupla weeks back askin' if they can make somethin' like it. Didn't really wanna break tradition, you know?

[Though he talks, hoping that it's enough of a distraction, one hand moves to the side of the couch as if checking if something is still there. He tries to be discreet with him, but that would probably be the last thing anyone would describe Beat.

Yep! Whatever he's looking for is still there.]

sobs have a crusty tag u.u

[mwehehe]

[She notices him rooting around, despite trying to be sneaky... but she says nothing. He wants to be sneaky, she'll let him be sneaky. :') It's crimmus (or almost), it's fine!]

Damn, you really planned it out. Bet 76 had fun with it though, it was really good! We'll have to ask him to do this every year, maybe. Or maybe I can tell Kazuma about the whole KFC thing and he can offer it more widely? [That might be an idea— for later though.] Good call though, Bones! I know I would have been missing it, ehehe.

[As it was, she already had been; it'd been a couple years here without, so Beat truly made December feel Correct for her.]

NOT CRUSTY AT ALL

[stillarhino]

[He'd missed last year as well. The thought had crossed his mind a year ago, but he didn't want to crash whatever traditions his friends had then either. So he'd kept it to himself in the meantime.

But this year was different. Beat had found someone that he liked and cared about and wanted to spend time with, whether it was Christmas or not. Just thinking about it made his ears go red.]

We gotta tell 'em. 'Cause you an' me's gonna be doin' this again next year.

[Looking back up at Futaba, he smiles somewhat shyly at her, moving closer and reaching out to take her hand in his once again.]

sometime last month, during the event

[stillarhino]

[Tall trees towered over either side of the path, casting long, looming shadows across the forest floor. Besides the sounds of woodland creatures skittering about, it had been quiet since Beat had awoken, surrounded by crowded brush and dried leaves, crisp from the cold air. It was unnerving, but that was never something he would admit aloud, even if it were just to himself.

His wooden joints were aching for reasons he could not explain. This only made him want to find the way out faster, to find something or someone that might even be the slightest bit familiar to him. And so he trudged on, continuing down the winding path, searching for anyone who could lead him out of the wood.

Despite his humanoid form, Beat's skin had hardened literally, human flesh replaced by hardwood, sturdy enough to carry himself on his two wooden legs. A pointed, feathered hat sits atop his head and he's dressed in a loose shirt and bright red lederhosen, a bow tied around his collar. He doesn't seem to be bothered one bit by the change of his appearance as he makes his way through the forest, nor does he notice the jars littered around the vicinity, glowing a light red as he passes by.]

[mwehehe]

[When Beat wasn't where he lived and his poor worried animals were in a tizzy when she went to look for him, she knew something had to be up. He wouldn't have just left Rhyme and Hachiko alone, or not tell her he was going somewhere...

So it was time to look, after making sure Beat's animals were taken care of first. Not too far out is a bridge that... definitely wasn't there before, so of course she's going to go cross it. Once across, Futaba finds herself in a completely different type of garb: a long, shimmery gown and... wings? Huh. Well, she was familiar with sudden costume changes from her time in the Index, but... why a fairy? Whatever, it was time to find Beat. She can use some easy flight with the wings, at least, and it beats (heh) trying to walk or run here.

It's not long before she comes across a lot of jars littered around, and a wooden boy... no, was that Beat?]

Bones!

[Futaba drops to her feet to run toward him as best she can in a gown of all things.]

[stillarhino]

[Huh, what was that? Beat had heard the flapping of wings nearby, but didn't turn around immediately. But when he hears someone calling out and the sound of footsteps coming closer and closer, he turns on his heel.

Even if there was a tickle of familiarity from the name in the back of his head, he didn't recognize whoever this "Bones" person was supposed to be. Nor had he seen anyone who might've matched that description. But at least this was someone.]

You lookin' for someone?

[Upon seeing a girl running up to him in a dress, he holds up his wooden arms in case she needed it. Looked like she was having trouble with that gown of hers.]

[mwehehe]

[It's a good thing he's got his arms held out, because she's already tripping over her own feet and the gown itself, and tumbles directly into him.]

Woah!

[...well, she's not flat on her face, so that's an improvement. Once her legs are less tangled with her dress, she'll look up at him, hint of blush on her cheeks.]

Yeah, I'm looking for you. Do you... not recognize me, Beat?

[stillarhino]

[Having his arms out was originally to help the girl catch her balance. He didn't expect her to fall onto him. His body falters, but he keeps the both of them upright, trying to help her stand. If wood could change color, a reddish tinge would have begun appearing on his cheeks.]

You know who I am? [Surprise finds its way onto his face, but it's quickly replaced by confusion. Slowly, he shakes his head from side to side.] Sorry, yo. Ain't got no idea who you's is.

[mwehehe]

Yeah of course I do!

[Futaba falters a moment when he says he doesn't know her, but she knows that isn't true. He wouldn't outright forget her, so... it's got to be whatever this dreamscape is. Once she finds her footing again, she'll stand up straight, looking over her own costume and his... hm.]

Well, do you remember anything? Or is it all a blank for you, Bones? [Yes, she'll keep calling him that for now, maybe it'll jog his memory.]

[stillarhino]

[There it was again. That name. Why is she insisting on calling him that when she already knew his name?

But Beat supposes he can't say otherwise, considering she was the first person he's bumped into since he found himself here.]

Bumped into this cat and fox a li'l bit ago. Told me there was supposed to be a fair somewhere 'round here.

[He makes a general gesture behind him, but there's nothing more besides woods as far as the eye can see.]

Was gonna head over them with 'em 'fore they ditched me. Jus' straight up disappeared, you know?

[mwehehe]

A fair?

[Huh. She didn't know what was going on, but she was lucky to not hear the call like he did. Maybe he could see it if they got close enough, though it didn't seem like they were anywhere near a fair.]

I don't hear anything like a fair near here... but they disappeared? Just poofed? [Well, it was a dreamscape, so...] What about those? Have those been there the entire time? They're kinda creepy.

[There's a gesture toward the jars near them, scattered around. She'd noticed them earlier, but had no idea what they were. Maybe he did? Probably not but it was worth a shot.]

[stillarhino]

All I got outta 'em 'fore they booked it was that I had to follow the path 'til I got to the fair.

[To which, his gaze moves from their feet and further down the distance past some trees. To him, he could hear the faintest sound of music past the treeline. Though it didn't sound like what he had imagined fair music to sound, he figured that he should follow his instinct and the instruction that was given to him.

But his attention shifts to the fairy girl's question. He'd noticed the jars since he started walking but never gave it much second thought or investigation.]

They been 'round since I started walkin'. Figured they was part of the fair. Ain't to sure 'cause I never been to one.

[Beat had been to the fair before, especially the one in Reverein. But for whatever reason, this version of himself couldn't remember that detail.]

[mwehehe]

I don't think they are... at least they don't look like what you'd see at a festival or anything. ...should we break one and find out?

[That is the worst idea but maybe THEY NEED TO BREAK or whatever and then Beat would be free?

...she could just open them, but when does Futaba do anything correctly? Just gonna casually grab a rock here.]

[stillarhino]

They ain't?

[Lucky for her Beat doesn't even think about opening the jars the usual way either. While she goes to pick up a rock, he goes up to the closest jar to them and brings it even closer.

He holds it up for her not even thinking twice that the glass may hurt him. He is made out of wood after all. But it slips out of his hands and he goes to grab it, only for marionette strings to zip out of his fingers, tightly wrapping itself around the jar's neck. The jar hovers, suspended in mid-air.]

Yo, what the hell?

[Even he looks surprised by that. He stares at the jar before his gaze lingers towards the fairy girl.]

Guess you can do your worst now.

[mwehehe]

Woah!

[She had turned around just in time to see strings shooting out of his fingers, and for a moment, all she can do is gawp.]

Just like Arachnid Guy... damn, Beat, I didn't think you could do that! [Yes, she's impressed.] ...maybe I shouldn't break it like that, but... who knows how tight the lid is on that baby.

[She could just toss the rock aside... but no, after she breaks this bad boy open, just like cracking open one with... the boyfriend...??? Yeah, she'll roll with it.]

Here goes!

[Moving the rock into a position she won't accidentally hurt herself smashing into glass, Futaba winds up and goes to shatter the side, hopefully making the shards break away from the two of them. She has no idea what's supposed to happen, but it's GONNA if she's got any say in this... and she does have the rock!]

[stillarhino]

Arachnid Guy? Whatchu talkin' 'bou—HEY!!

[The jar shatters from where it hangs, shards falling away and to the ground from the impact. The lights trapped within fly out towards Beat, surrounding him for a brief moment, shining brighter than they had from inside the jar, before scattering into the wind.]

Huh? Was it supposed to do that?

[Unbeknownst to Beat, a glass shard produces from his wooden leg.]

[mwehehe]

[...well it doesn't seem to have done anything! That's frustrating! There's a frustrated growl from Futaba who watches the lights just flutter off.]

Mannnnn, guess we gotta—

[As she talks, she turns her head to look at Beat, but stops mid-sentence.]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Beat, y-y-y-your leg!! Holy shit!

Christmas Gift

[lucky_e]

To Futaba,

You're quite the brilliant, young lady! It's unfortunate that I might not be able to give you the exact gift that you otherwise want, traveling through time and space take a lot of extra Christmas magic you see. But I hope that you still enjoy what I am able to give you regardless!

Happy Holidays,

Santa Claus

[Futaba will be given a fancy, wool, cap! It's really warm and comfy to wear with a cute design on it. She'll also receive a large, stuffed teddy bear that's super-duper huggable!

...Additionally, there's a bag of homemade chocolate chip cookies for her to munch too. They're super soft and chewy!]

Winterstide Gift

[astudyinviolet]

[ Inside a nicely wrapped package and addressed to Futaba is a pair of Frostfairy Wings. There is no name to say who it is from, but the note (made from letters and words cut out from newspapers) says, "You seem like someone who should be able to fly." ]