Movie and a dinner

[drugsnotclubs]

Who: Shinjiro, Scott, Kotone, and Dara
Where: Idk some diner of Scott's choosing
What: A DOUBLE-DATE....
Warnings: uhhhh none that I anticipate. just dumbassery probably.

--

It had started with: 'Hey, me and Scott are going to see a movie! You should come!'

And then that had slowly had more pieces added onto it. 'We should get Dara to come, I bet she hasn't seen many movies!'

And any concern had an immediate solution, such as: 'It's nice and dark in the theatre, so she won't have to feel like she's standing out-- oh and we can get her snack foods! She likes those, right?'

And this is how they all end up convinced to seeing the wild Aldrip-version of a horror/slasher film together. It's-- a weirdly normal thing to do, seeing as three out of four of them are dead, half of them aren't human (unless mutants still are?), and at least one counts as some form of divinity. But it's easy to forget that when you're fighting over who has the tub of popcorn and watching some poorly-acted "teens" wander around a spooky house and die in spooky ways, and talking loudly about how bad the effects were or how chilly the atmosphere was or trying to explain the concept of a 'final girl' to the local mountain god while leaving to grab some appropriately shitty and greasy food.

As always, Scott is their guide for all things normal- and Americanized. Burgers and shakes are the traditional fare. Which brings them all to the present moment: Sitting in a fluorescently lit diner, two by two on each side of the booth, looking over laminated menus that are peeling at the corners at the absolutely obscene number of milkshake flavours on offer.

"--What's the difference between 'orange' and 'orange creamsicle'....? It's a milkshake, they both got dairy in 'em..." Shinjiro frowns, before sliding the menu next to him for Dara to examine. He'll let her make the choice of any sweets, before glancing across to Kotone and Scott.

"Either of you eaten here before?"

The place has a light layer of grease on everything, a broken napkin dispenser, some stuck-on spill making the floor sticky, and overall just feels like the casual sort of greasy spoon diner that can only be either absolutely amazing or terrible. Here's hoping for the former!

Comments

[orphne]

[Kotone's smile doesn't waver, and there's no other indication that she's clued in, but don't worry, she's more observant than she looks. She laughs at Scott and Shinji, squeezing her boyfriend's hand under the table and keeping herself pressed against him, letting their joined hands rest atop his knee.]

Well, you guys can argue about sandwich toppings. Me and Dara-san gotta think of a nickname for this guy!

[And she lightly nudges Dara's, uh... snakes? under the table with her toe. Hey, pay attention! Kotone's here to stick her nose directly into their business. Clearly if she tries to get Dara to come up with something silly, then Shinji will say, "what's wrong with Shinji" or "Shinji's fine," and then the problem(?) is solved.]

What's a cute nickname for him, Dara-san?

[cursegod]

[Dara startles at the nudge but does end up putting down the menu. Except she grimaces outright at Kotone's proposal, as if she asked her to complete the world's most complicated puzzle:]

I'm terrible with nicknames.

[Heck, she already informed Shinjiro that she wouldn't be calling him "darling". Anata on the other hand............]

[laserguy]

Or maybe certain ingredients shouldn't be placed between two slices of bread. It's sacrilege or whatever. Imagine putting rice there. That's like disrespecting your culture too.

[Kotone stop your boyfriend before it's too late. Although, maybe it's already too late, because Scott is looking back at Dara with that little smirk, one that speaks of stupid or bad ideas. He's sort of caught on what Kotone is trying to do here and might as well help out. Being supportive or something like that.

Okay, he's just doing this to tease their friend, because that's fun.]

Grumpy bear fits him, right?

[He is also awful with nicknames.]

jumping in for a quick tag

[cursegod]

Huh? [Dara looks incredulous then confused, obviously trying to recall an example--] He's definitely not grumpy...Is he? I don't think he is. Or at least, I don't remember him acting grumpy.

[TALKING AS IF HE'S NOT SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO HER. And maybe this says a lot more about how he treats her.]

Crawls back in shame

[drugsnotclubs]

[There's a lot here- Scott defending his sandwich toppings, Kotone encouraging Dara with a nickname, Scott supplying the dumbest shit in the world-- his brows crease with a huff, and he shakes his head. At least he can return Scott's tease as good as he gets.]

You think so, Red-eye?

[He rolls his eyes. Though Dara saying he's not grumpy is probably the first time he's ever heard it. Maybe he does act different with her.]

Anyway, what's wrong with my name? Or- shortening it, if you gotta?

[It's still a little weird for anyone besides Akihiko to call him 'Shinji'-- it feels like a relic of childhood, more than anything. But it's way better than whatever the hell came out of Scott's mouth just now.]

Or is this 'cause Americans are always way too familiar with each other?

[orphne]

[Kotone snorts a giggle, first at "Grumpy Bear" (very valid in Kotone's experience) and then laughs aloud at "Red Eye" (also true). She rests her chin in her hands and tucks her foot against Scott's under the table, grinning at them both.]

Yeah, I guess shortening it's fine for me and Dara-san. [She is not above taking advantage of the girl card to tease Shinji, mostly because she knows she can get away with it. It's cute though, how Dara was honestly confused at the grumpy moniker for Shinji. He must be really sweet to her, huh? There's an unmistakable fondness buried beneath the mischief of her smile as she nods.]

Anyway, I'd definitely eat rice on bread. [Simply changing the topic immediately so nobody has the chance to retract it. Also, it's not a lie, because she's a freak.]

[laserguy]

Fitting for everyone else.

[Dara's surprised that Shinjiro is grumpy and doesn't that speak volumes?? Either she has really high standards or just the teen is never really grumpy towards her, because he's obviously in love. If Kotone is smiling at the realization, so is Scott, his grin almost matching hers as he looks at the couple. Look, he'll even ignore the Red-eye nickname because yeah, fine.]

Nicknames are common in America. [He lifts one shoulder up in a light shrug.] But sounds like Shinji is what everyone's going with.

[Oh, guess he's not included in that club though. :((((( Maybe he'll just say it anyway every so often--] Kotone, that's weird.

[He snorts, but Scott still looks as disgustingly affectionate as ever, lightly bumping her shoulder with his.]

[cursegod]

[WHY do these two look like they're plotting something sinister?! Those grins...something about them-! It's like looking at the Misogiya kids when they're up to no good.

Dara would ponder what's on their minds, but Shinjiro didn't outright refuse. That's taking up far more room in her brain. (10% of those brain cells are also dedicated to predicting what rice on bread would taste like.)]

Nothing's wrong with your name, but...y'know..."Shinji" feels more close. [The last bit is mumbled as her face heats up. Dammit, was this their plan all along?! Getting her to say embarrassing things!] Er, not to make you uncomfortable or anything...

[AAAAAAAAHHHHHH the menu is too small to hide her entire existence.

So Dara changes trajectories entirely as she slaps the laminated sheet onto the table:]

I-Instead of thinking up weird food creations, how about we put in our order!

[drugsnotclubs]

[Man, Kotone and Scott really as the quintessential 'cute couple', huh? All the touching and smiles and eyes flickering back and forth. It's.... almost gross, but in a cute way. Maybe that's... more normal? Man, he's never really paid that much attention to couples back home.

But then Dara is mumbling quietly, which is always when she says the most important things-- so he does tilt his head to her, brows pinching slightly as he tries to hear it.

Ah. it's like that. His expression softens.]

...If it makes you feel closer, you can. That's fine.

[Maybe that's what Kotone and Scott were being all devious about this with. To show them how doing things that doesn't matter sometimes can matter the most. All their gross little soft touches and looks and jokes and teases-- just a way of actually displaying their feelings, instead of just assuming them as mutually understood.

--but boy that menu slap is quite a topic changer, and he gives a short, amused noise.]

Rice in bread is just a burrito. But sure, let's get something.

[orphne]

Burrito!

[Instantly distracted, Kotone goes back to the menu. Is there a burrito on the menu... yes. Is it the right food to have with a milkshake? No. Is it as good as some of the other stuff on the menu? Probably not. But now she almost feels like she has point to prove to Scott (what point??), so that's what she'll order instead. She taps the menu where Scott can see, tossing him a smile.]

Scott can order once everybody's ready. [And with that officially out of her hands, she looks back across the table to the other two.] Did you guys like the movie, though?

[laserguy]

[On one hand, mission successful. On the other hand--]

That's totally different and you know it!

[Scott immediately protests because he has to make a stand somewhere as the self-declared sandwich king. Burritos don't count!! That's a different sort of... bread...

.......

He's just going to stick with his guns still. In fact, as he looks over the menu, he plans on ordering a sandwich and maybe a side plate of rice or whatever, just to show that you don't put rice between two slices of white bread. Or even sourdough. But sure, yeah, he'll order for everyone??? He squints at Kotone, almost looking exasperated.]

Whatever you order, you're still getting the bacon cheeseburger and loaded fries as well. [He looks at Dara and Shinji.] Part of the experience.

skip to food time?

[cursegod]

Works for me.

[The waiter drops off Dara's cola and immediately starts taking whatever Scott's about to unleash upon the collective. Thankfully their meals are the kind that don't take long to cook, and yet Dara manages to suck down her entire drink by the time the plates are hot and ready. And of course she had to get the largest size for her Matcha Milkshake! Which comes with two straws already included.

After nudging the milkshake towards Shinjiro, Dara picks up one of the fries and watches the strings of cheese tear apart from the mass.]

I get the feeling that Americans enjoy cheese a lot.