Scene #3040: Eat at Mai's

Owner	Pose
Mai Tokiha	The coordinates that Mai sent over the Union's channels would lead everyone to... a relatively small town in Japan, right in the middle of a nice sunset. Heavily forested, near a beach, covered in lakes and rivers, this area actually has quite the bit of natural beauty to it. The nearest Warpgate had been hastily erected in the town's train station, but it wasn't hard to get directions to the massive school nearby. Fuka High School is immense and obviously very well-appointed. The grand entrances and huge grounds would be proof enough, but it's the dorms that are the biggest seller. They're basically apartments already. In her room, Mai is furiously stirring at a couple of large pots as she tries to get everything finished up. Her hair was still up in a wrap, but she was back to wearing her uniform. Mikoto was in hers, as well, but she was laying her head on the table heavily, her stomach letting out pained yowls while she looked hopefully over to Mai. "It'll be done soon. Just need to add the egg to the bowls, and we'll be just fine. You ready to meet some more people, Mikoto?" The little girl shrugs as her stomach grumbles again. "None of them will be Aniue, though..." She mumbles with a sigh.
Haguro	Although Haguro isn't familiar with Fuka High, she does find her way to the designated coordinates easily enough. She takes some time to just look around and admire the town itself, her usual armaments nowhere to be seen while exploring. She'd almost look like a native to the area if not for the fact that she's still dressed in her naval uniform. The Fleet Daughter doesn't take too long just loitering outside, thankfully, and she does find her way to the dorms without spending the whole day just flitting about. Of course, actually gathering to courage to even knock is another matter entirely. Instead of knocking, she just paces about in front of the door while constantly adjusting the bag dangling from one wrist and balancing a picnic basket in the other hand. But surely she'll go in there eventually! ... Right?
Gawain	Sir Gawain arrives, dressed in a plain white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans. It doesn't scream '80s gangster', but these clothes are from the 80s! The blonde man looks to be in about his 30s, and looks to be a European, as well. Also there's no way to identify him as a knight from his current apparel, though he does radiate magic from every fiber of his being! As the knight walks up to the dorm, he waves to Haguro, with a grin! "Ah! Is this some sort of custom you do before entering someones' dorm? I've never been to a dorm before, let me help!" And then, Sir Gawain begins pacing back and forth in front of the door as well, because he's a dork.
Eve	Eve is only familiar with the Japan of books, not from any real experience. Books, of course, don't exactly lead to real-world experience. Still it's not that hard to find a school, right? She might draw a few looks, but only because she's a little young to be in a high school. That and she's very blonde. Other than those things, well, she almost fits right in. When she enters the dorms, she sees Gawain and Haguro ... pacing. She stares at them with a certain quiet intensity, asking without asking. After all if she actually asks aloud, well, it might turn out to be something obvious that everyone knows about and that'll make her look like a fool for bringing it up.
Bertram Silent	Today, Bertram is dressed far more Earthlike. Jeans and a dress shirt, belt with pouches and tools. He looks like a modern day carpenter or lumberjack (though no axe) instead of a ... well, white mage. He comes in bearing gifts! Specifically, a gift card for a clothing store. He doesn't explain it, he just hands it to Mai with a smile. "Thank you for your invitation, miss Tokiha. Hello everyone."
Mai Tokiha	The sound of Mai bustling in the kitchen come through the door clearly as everyone comes to it. Along with it comes a lovely wafting scent of ramen and cooking meat. Inside, Mai is completely ignorant of the fact that everyone is outside as she starts setting out portions to bring to the table. Mikoto, however, sniffs the air and just manages to catch their scent. For a moment, she tries to get up and reach over to her sword bag... but then immediately falls back down as her stomach rumbles desperately. "Hungry..." When Bertram steps in, Mai pauses in her work to turn around, offering a big smile to him. The dorm room is actually quite big, and modernly furnished. Two beds by the window have been pushed roughly together, their sheets and blankets tossed.. "Ah, come on in! Is everyone else... Why is everyone outside? Come on in! Please take your shoes off by the door." Carefully, she takes up a bowl and sets it down on the little knee-height table. "There are cushions, if you want them. Welcome to Fuka High School."
Haguro	Haguro nearly jumps out of her shoes when she hears Gawain suddenly! It's a good thing she's still wearing those vaguely metallic boots, or she'd probably be shoeless right around now. "Ah? Oh, no, this isn't..." And then Gawain starts pacing with her. She can't exactly stop pacing now without correcting him and making him feel bad, can she? "You are... Sir Gawain, yes? From the comms? It's a... Pleasure meeting you." It's much harder talking to him properly while pacing, holding in her words for when she's actually able to face him without turning around completely. It just gets even more awkawrd when Eve shows up, and Haguro can't bring herself to even say anything as the girl keeps staring right at them. Haguro does attempt an awkward smile, although it's clear she's not in her element at all. So many new people, no way to get herself out of this awkward pacing... It's Bertram to the rescue, then, when he heads in right past them! "Ah.. Hello, miss and... Um. Miss. I'm sorry!" She blurts out a greeting to Eve and Mai with a clumsy bow of her head, finally heading inside instead of pacing around aimlessly. It takes her a bit of effort to get those boots off at the door without her hands free, but she does so eventually and sets the basket and bag down by the table before bowing to Mai and Mikoto more properly once inside. "It smells delicious in here.. Ah. I brought tea if nobody minds that I.. Um. Did that without asking. I'm sorry."
Bertram Silent	Bertram removes his shoes at the door and then after a moment of concentration they vanish in a blue puff of energy. Then he sits down at the table, trying to figure out how to make that comfortable for a while before settling on simply sitting on his ass. "Have you had any success, miss Tokiha?" Then he glances at the others, "Hello Sir Gawain, Eve... uh... I 'm not sure who you are. Sorry."
Gawain	Sir Gawain remains pacing, confused, until Mai comes out. "I am Sir Gawain, yes! It is a pleasure!", he replies to Haguro, as he greets Mai and Mikoto with a bow. "It is a pleasure, my ladies. I am Sir Gawain, of Dun Realtai and Camelot. I would have brought something, but I was advised this was a bad idea!" Despite that, he grins, waving to the others as well, as he takes his shoes off and enters. "This is a very nice dorm you have here!"
Eve	Fortunately for Haguro, Eve doesn't maintain that intense stare for long. Once they're actually invited inside, she's on more familiar grounds and doesn't have to worry about just what Gawain and Haguro are doing. She nods politely to Haguro and then enters, slipping off her shoes and setting them carefully aside. She blinks once at the introductions, suddenly looking uncertain and shy. She hadn't realized who was here. The man who... bought her books. It's one thing to thank him over the radio... quite another to meet him in person. So... she just looks awkward and avoidse Bertram's gaze however she can. "Thanks... for having us over." Eve says, claiming a cushion. She's no masochist to kneel on the floor. This is also a bit of a stretch for her socializing, given how she has almost zero experience in such things.
Mai Tokiha	Suddenly her dorm was full of people. Mai grinned with open friendliness--and a little sheepishness. "Thank you for coming here. And for even coming dressed up. I'm grateful. My name is Mai Tokiha. I'm a second-year student. I'm glad to meet all of you in person." As everyone files in, Mai goes back to the kitchen to grab the next bowl to bring to the table. "I hope you don't mind, I try to make mine just a little spicy for flavor. I'm kind of using instant noodles, so it needs a little kick." They'd find that the first bowl was already claimed; Mikoto had started digging in the moment the bowl was sent down in front of her. Even as she ate with gusto, her eyes scanned everyone who entered the room immediately. Eventually she decides to stop eating to take a breath, and proclaims, "I am Mikoto Minagi! I live with Mai. She is mine!" She gives a small smile to Bertram, though. She's at least somewhat familiar with him. "Mai said the kendo club captain is getting blamed for stealing the panties." Without any further explaination, she dives back into her food. Mai brings the next bowl to Haguro, smiling as she patted the girl's shoulder. "Tea, eh? Like our Student Council President. Of course we can use it, if you want. Want me to set up my kettle?"
Mai Tokiha	As soon as Mai heard Mikoto mention the case, she sqwuaks and glares over at Mikoto. "D-don't talk about it so openly! Jeez, that stuff should be kept for when only girls are around, Mikoto."
Haguro	The introductions! Right. That's what Haguro had forgotten, and she bows yet again with an apologetic frown on her face. "My name is Haguro. Fleet Daughter, youngest of the Myoukou-class heavy cruisers. It's good to meet you all." Although she's fighting the urge to and even succeeds in not apologizing again, it's fairly obvious in her tone that she wants to. "This really is a nice place you have here, Miss Tokiha and Miss Minagi." She takes in a long breath to get that scent of the ramen, although a bright blush does color her cheeks when Mikoto speaks of the stolen undergarments. "Is that... I-is that a problem around here..?" Best not to dwell on that too much, especially with men around. She relaxes visibly as she settles down onto a cushion, letting out a brief squeak at the shoulder pat. "Oh! Thank you. Ah... I brewed it before coming here, so it should still be warm." Despite that jumpiness, she does actually manage a small smile at Mai as she takes the bow and sets it in front of her. Haguro's not a masochist or anything, but formality requires that she kneels on the cushion. It doesn't seem to bother her, at least, and she wastes little time in opening up that basket to produce a tea pot and several small cups, then starts pouring some for each person. Milk tea, brewed right in the tea rather than having milk added afterwards! "I did look around a little before coming here, though, so... Um. I'm sorry if it's not hot enough."
Bertram Silent	"Were you able to recover any of the undergarments of my clients?" Bertram asks right before Mai cuts in on that, and he changes the topic, or tries to. "So how are you liking your books, Eve?" He then takes a bowl and starts eating. "So, miss Tokiha. Do you trust this Nagi?"
Eve	Eve eyenarrows at discussion of undergarments, but doesn't actually complain aloud. Some things simply shouldn't be discussed, and she has no reason to add to that discussion. She'll just glare a little at the conversationalists. When Bertram mentions the books though, she looks at him with a sudden start. "Oh! Ah yes... I'm liking them. I ... like books." she says. Well, oops. That was a conversational fail, most likely. She's not exactly good at conversation.
Gawain	Sir Gawain has no idea anything about the underwear situation, and as such does not comment on it. "Mm, it smells delicious! Thank you for your hospitality, my lady!", he says to Mai in regards to the food. "I now truly wish I had brought something...hm, maybe some cake would have gone well..." Not that he knows how to bake one, but he thinks he does! "Ah, you are a student, right? How is life here at this dorm?" The knight takes no time to find a seat, relaxing as he awaits for the next bowl.
Mai Tokiha	Mai blinked when Haguro introduced herself, but quickly got her train of thought back to smile slightly. "Ah, like Kuma and her sisters? I see. D-don't worry so much about that other stuff. Mikoto and I are on the case! Natsuki, too." She pauses and snerks, covering her mouth. "Especially Natsuki. Anyway, go ahead and relax. Make yourself comfortable." With that, she hustles off for the last two bowls for Gawain and Eve, snickering all the while. "You're all so formal. Just call me Mai." Mikoto was peering at Haguro and Eve curiously, though her eyes widen when they stop on Eve, flashing almost like a cat's. Eventually, she toddles over to Haguro, bringing her bowl over with her. "Haguro? What is that stuff?" She leans over and peers curiously at the whole setup, taking a good long wiff with her nose that makes her have to sneeze into her arm. "It smells funny." At last, Mai brings her own bowl and sits down at the head of the table, near Mikoto. "Okay, everyone. Dig in!" She does pause before she starts, though, to answer Gawain and Bertram. "Nagi... I don't know. I don't know who he is, or why he does. I talked to the Headmistress yesterday... All she could say was that we had to fight the Orphans." She sighs slowly, giving Gawain a half-hearted smile. "It's... The school is really nice. We're here on scholarship, so we don't really need to pay for much. There's just a lot of weird stuff going on. Natsuki won't tell me half of it, but she's hunting after some group. And there's the Orphans, too. Of course, nobody else at the school really knows..."
Bertram Silent	Bertram enjoys the food, outwardly at least. Who can say what the culinarian is thinking inside? He does tell Gawain, "I would've baked a cake if you had given me warning you would've liked one." There's a none too subtle undertone of 'as long as you don't' "And miss Tokiha, I prefer formalities outside of a close inner circle. Pray forgive an old man" He looks about thirty, "for preferring social customs like that."
Haguro	As Haguro pours the tea, she gets a rare opportunity to just observe everyone for a brief moment. It's a rather eccentric mix of people here, and there's quite a bit to take in. Her attention is brought back to Mai once she's addressed, the gentle smile returning to her face after a moment. "That's correct. So you know Miss Kuma, then... That's good to hear. Um. Just Mai, then." Mental note: She'll have to introduce the rest of the fleet to this school another time. "What sorts of books are reading, Miss Eve?" She conveniently avoids drawing further attention to the mention of undergarments, although she does give Bertram a brief pleading look before turning to Mikoto. "Mm? O-oh! This is milk tea. It's.. Um. Tea steeped in hot milk. Black tea, since green tea can be very strong sometimes." She chuckles briefly at Mikoto sneezing into her arm, then reaches into the basket to set a pint stuffed with sugar cubes on the table. "Bless you. Have you ever had tea before?" The mention of fighting Orphans does draw a confused, blank stare from Haguro. How is she even supposed to respond to that? She does catch herself staring at Mai, however, eventually bowing her head quickly in apology. "Sorry! Um... But why are you fighting orphans? Did they do something...?"
Eve	Eve makes herself comfortable, seeming at ease with the whole kneeling on cushions thing. Kids can usually sprawl just about anywhere without a problem, kind of like cats. She accepts her bowl and is about to dig in when she spots Mikoto staring at her. Flustered, Eve's not at all sure what that wide-eyed gaze means. She's torn between going defensive and offering up her bowl of ramen in appeasement. The thought goes on in her for about a second - almost an eternity for her. Then she turns the full force of her own gaze back on Mikoto, glowering at her and then clutching the bowl defensively. She proceeds to eat, fiercely asserting her desire like a puppy with a bone, while trying to appear like she has no worries whatsoever, and no desire to figure out just why Mikoto was eyeing her. She raises her head from her ramen at Haguro's question. "All kinds." she states unselfconsciously.
Gawain	Sir Gawain activates his Noble Phantasm, Eater of Everything, as he is given the bowl. Within seconds of him grabbing the utensils, the food is gone, as if it was never even there. Truly divine work, there. "Ah, thank you, it is very good~!" Sir Gawain nods to Bertram, grinning, though he doesn't get the subtext. "Thank you, but I think it would have been fun to bake it myself! I'll keep that in mind next time if needed, though!" And finally, Gawain nods to Mai. "I see. If you need any help with anything going on here, do not hesitate to ask! My blade belongs to my allies, after all!" And then, after a brief pause, Gawain asks incredibly innocently, "...Are there seconds?"
Mai Tokiha	Mikoto was quick to note Eve's response, and the middle-schooler gives her a short nod, as if acknowledging her. Soon after, though, her attention is caught by the tea and those weird little squares. Mikoto snatches one up and tosses it into her mouth, blinking as she crunched and swallowed it. A dazzled look comes to her eyes. "Sugar! Why's it in those squares? Can I have some? I want a lot of sugar." For the first time tonight, her face breaks into a childlike, happy smile. She edged a bit closer to Haguro, but kept Mai close by. Mai takes a few bites of her own ramen, but it's slower, and she looks a little troubled. "It's fine, Mr. Bertram." Mai looked Eve over curiously for a few seconds. "Are you in school, Eve? You look almost about as old as my little brother Takumi." Then her attention is caught by Haguro again. Mai gives both her and Gawain a tight smile. "It's a really long story. I don't mind telling it, but I'm not sure if it's good dinner talk. Also, I don't... really get most of it, either. There's a lot of strange stuff going on at school. All I really care about is Takumi."
Haguro	Finally taking a bite of that ramen, Haguro lets out a little pleased noise before carefulling shoving some more of it into her face. Carefully , of course, and without spilling even a single drop of the soup nor even slurping, but she's definitely packing it in efficiently. She does stop when Mikoto asks for more of those sugar cubes, blinking at her a few times before giggling quietly and nodding. "O-of course! I mean, they're really meant for the tea, and they're not so good for your teeth if you eat too much, but... If you'd like." Taking a few sugar cubes for her own tea before passing them over to Mikoto, Haguro tends to her Ramen for a short while before tunring to Mai once more. "I see... Ah. I'm sorry. If it's something liek that, it can wait for another time. Although if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know." She straightens up in her kneeling position, trying to look just a little more confident (and probably just looking incredibly stiff instead). "I'm not as strong as my sisters or as skilled as anyone in the fleet, but... I'll do what I can."
Eve	Eve shrugs, a bit self-conscious. She's aware, from reading at least, that she probably SHOULD be in school. She's been told to fit in. Still, she's not exactly comfortable (nor skilled at) lying. "Aah, I'm home-schooled." she claims, rather uncomfortably. This is technically the truth. However... she's learned more in a week of reading than she learned in the previous eleven or so years of her life. Homeschooling isn't exactly anything worth bragging over.
Bertram Silent	Bertram notices something about the way Eve says that apparently. "I can help you with your lessons, Eve. Or if not, I know people who can." He offers gently, trying not to come over as too overbearing. Then he reluctantly tells Mai, "Mister Silent, please, miss Tokiha." He finishes his ramen, "Not bad." He says that like it's meant to be high praise.
Mai Tokiha	Mai smiles sadly for a moment, before nodding slowly and taking a few more slurps of her ramen. When she's had a good couple mouthfuls, she speaks again. "Thank you, Haguro. You too, Bertram. I guess I should tell everyone at the Union what's going on at the school. That way you don't have to worry about me so much." That'll be difficult, though. So far Mai's had a hard time admitting to herself what's going on. So much for a normal school life. "I'm glad you enjoyed it, Mr. Silent. Sorry that they were only instant noodles. I'll get some better stuff soon. After all, I need to start making Mikoto and I lunches." Mikoto is distracted from the sugar at this announcement. Quickly, she spins around with an exultant expression. "Mai's going to make us luches? Mai's food!" Quick as a cat, the little girl dives over and buries her face into Mai's chest, nuzzling happily. Mai is nearly bowled over and only just manages to catch herself.