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[hafuri_shinki]

Without warning, someone emerges into the Nexus through a swirling portal of light.

The smartly-dressed young man, one-handedly adjusting a pair of dark-framed glasses on his nose as he walks, appears to be quite involved in paging through a book of some sort, hence not noticing that he is most likely not where he was actually intending to be. It's only when he finally looks up from the book--

"--I can't be sure as of yet, but it appears...that it...might..."

Yes, this is definitely not where he meant to end up.

He blinks slowly - once, twice, three times, absently taking a bookmark from his pocket so he can close the book and take a very good look around.

A brochure from a nearby table finds its way quickly into his hands, and while it doesn't really explain things to his satisfaction, at least it gives him a bit of an idea to work with. Now...a question. Which involves picking one out of the multitude swirling round in his head.

"...How - hypothetically, mind you - would one go about showing their appreciation to someone who was kind enough to take them in? Without overstepping their boundaries," he hurries to add the last bit, looking sour.

Comments

[hafuri_shinki]

"Do I have sanity?" Not a question that needs answered, really. He's kidding anyway, from that grin.

[brave_heart_verity]

"I dunno, you ended up here, I think we all have to forfeit it at the door with our weapons and produce."

[hafuri_shinki]

"Not the produce!" Kazuma feigns horror, pretending to reel backwards. "Whatever will I do without my oranges? Never mind that they're nonexistent oranges."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Especially the nonexistent oranges," she laments. "Sorry. You'll just have to imagine some new ones down in the commercial district. Careful, they'll charge you if they catch you at it."

[hafuri_shinki]

"Tsk. Such a pity. I may have to campaign for the rights of the nonexistent oranges." He's really very good at keeping a straight face.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Then you've come to the right place. If there's anyplace where people will take that seriously, it's here."

[hafuri_shinki]

"Really now. What about the imaginary bananas and physically nonexistent papayas?"

[brave_heart_verity]

"Don't push it, my friend." Her words and gestures may caution, but her tone betrays the laughter she's trying to contain.

[hafuri_shinki]

Verity's in good company; Kazuma soon loses the serious face to a bout of laughter, forced to grip the back of a Convenient Nexus Couch to stay upright.

"That was remarkably entertaining," he manages once he can properly breathe again.

[brave_heart_verity]

She laughs when he does; it's contagious that way. She may not laugh so hard, but he's dealing with some shocks; it's only natural he needs more of it.

"Happy I could help. Keep saying I'm nice and funny and I'm going to try to keep you," she warns.

[hafuri_shinki]

"I fail to see how this is a problem," he responds innocently. "Perhaps Lady Bishamon could be convinced to share every once in a while."

[brave_heart_verity]

"You think so? I'm not sure I want to ask a strange god for a favor."

[hafuri_shinki]

"I could bring her to meet you once I figure out how to get back. Then she won't be strange...in the sense of knowing her, anyway."

[brave_heart_verity]

"That... that would be nice, thank you." But yeah, she caught the implied part. "I suppose she'll want some kind of offering?"

[hafuri_shinki]

"She may," Kazuma admits thoughtfully, nudging his glasses up. "But I doubt she'd ask for anything outrageous. Perhaps something sweet...she does enjoy her desserts."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I can do sweets. I'm a pretty good baker." She's underselling. She's a fantastic baker. "I'll have to think of something special for her."

[hafuri_shinki]

"In that case, we may have to keep you."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Oh yeah? What, no good bakers where you're from?"

[hafuri_shinki]

"Affordable is passable. Good is expensive."

[brave_heart_verity]

"Ah. True. Why do you think I learned to bake?"

[hafuri_shinki]

"A worthy pastime indeed. I should learn, myself."

[brave_heart_verity]

"I'm sure it won't be hard to find someone to teach you. There are people who make online videos about it if you prefer to work alone." Like she did.

[hafuri_shinki]

"What a world we live in." He sounds both amused and awed.

[brave_heart_verity]

"Yeah... it's an age of wonders." Or it was. Her gaze slides away from him, settling on some polite middle distance.

[hafuri_shinki]

Well, with a reaction like that, Kazuma isn't about to press the subject.

"What is your favorite thing to bake?" That's safe, isn't it? He thinks it's safe.