Lucky(?) Chance Encounter
4 AUG 2024
Backdated
Akita, Japan
Kanto Night Festival
Japanese & English
A swift grab of the hem of the child's collar made his prior energetic run into a halt. Shoulder tense. " Don't run, brat" the chill in Sako's tone rose the tension in the child shoulders. Though, by the time he felt like replying, Sako had already let go of, turned - and walked in the opposite direction. Not bothering to look back if the child followed his advice.
There was far too many people in this sort of festival that no sooner than 5 seconds later, Sako would never know if the child was the rowdy type that gave the adults in his life a hard time every time he was scolded. For the crowd had already separated the two, and the chances of seeing the child risk his safety by running in a crowd like this.
He made his way to a less crowded area, the food stalls. The heat combined with clash of smells would made anyone nauseous if they weren't used to it. Combined with the summer heat? It was a hit or miss, really. Him? A child of cooks from a run-down raggedy family diner? This wasn't the worse.
Festivals were always quite something. As a child, he was drawn to the hidden magic of it. Muggle or wizard culture aside - it provided the rare brief experience where money, status, class, achievements, classes didn't plague him. Somehow transporting him to an area where no one gives a shit about whether you had money or not.
Her perused the stalls, his mind allowing itself to let go of the constraints his work weighted on him. Perhaps a little too much, for he - accidentally bumped into someones shoulder. For the briefest moment, a scowl etched itself on his impassive face, fast Japanese uttered under his breath. " Are you blind? Watch where you're walking-", ah but the words faltered faster as his mind registered the lovely face he was witnessing.
Like a flipped switch, his smile turned polite as he acknowledged the woman. Facing her. giving a polite bow. " Oh, pardon me - I wasn't looking where I was going ". He made a rash bet that this person preferred English, hoping to dear god that she didn't understand enough Japanese to pick up his words earlier. " Are you alright? Were you injured in any way?" he asked, his concern and soft tinge of guilt evident.
@Célestine de la Croix-Valmer
Lucky(?) Chance Encounter
Backdated to 4 August 2024
Akita, Japan
Akita, Japan
She was finally in Japan. It was the first visit and she got to experience the local festival. Célestine had to admit that she was finding this country quite beautiful. However, for now it was hard to navigate.
She was wearing a beautiful dress, the one that was fitting her perfectly. Was it the dress making her more beautiful, or was she making her dress more beautiful? There was no right answer to this question. Her hair was coming down her shoulders in a naturally curly style. There was nothing in her that was out of place, but once noticed, she'd likely be quite outstanding.
Just as she was thinking where to go, she felt someone bumping into her shoulder and a fast Japanese words followed with the man's voice. Luckily for him she didn't know enough Japanese to understand his insults. Unfortunately for him, she picked up that it wasn't as pleasant as what he said in English.
I'm alright. No injuries. Her voice didn't carry any accent that was supposed to be there. Realizing her answer could come too short, she quickly smiled. Thank you for checking. Now it was more friendly, right?
She looked at the man in front of her. There was something in him that she couldn't understand whether he was good or not. However, it didn't matter much right now. Judging by his earlier words in Japanese, she made an assumption that he was local, or at the very least he was familiar with Japanese. Um... Actually, could you help me find one place, please? I'm a bit lost and it's my first visit of Japan.
She wanted to find a place with the local sweets. Something she could later bring to her parents. Just for a second she imagined how nice it would be to share something special with a man she liked. However, the idea made her feel sad for a moment. She was alone. Well, she had her parents and her snake, but no partner. And it didn't seem like she was lucky enough to find someone.
Waiting for his answer, Célestine was looking directly at his eyes. As if she could see right through, which was obviously not the case. Catching herself on such action, her gaze became more soft. Although still with a hint of a sadness.
@Kotoka Sako
La seule limite est celle que vous vous posez
| Linda Ramirez - PC | Kaya Rose Bennett - first iNPC | Ryusei Ishikawa - new iNPC |
The only limit is the one you set for yourself.
Lucky(?) Chance Encounter
4 AUG 2024
Backdated
Akita, Japan
Kanto Night Festival
Oh thank god- she didn't seem to know Japanese all that much. He didn't know what pathetic excuse he would've managed to pull out if she understood just enough of his insult. Nevermind that now. What an absolute beauty he was seeing right now. It wasn't difficult at all to keep his eyes on her under the casual guise of simple conversation.
I wonder if she's single.
" Aha... I'm glad you aren't." He replies softly with a sheepish, somewhat guilty smile.
" Hm? Oh lost, I see. That can happen sometimes. Welcome to Japan" He assured, followed by a light laugh. " Everything can be so packed here, especially at night, and on a festival night like this. Truthfully this isn't an area I'm an expert in, but I can lend a hand. This isn't my first time Akita. Where do you have to go? Do you not intend to stay longer to enjoy the festival?" The question was curious, though her words weren't the only reason.
The tender almost apologetic gaze caught Sako a little off guard. He didn't being being checked out by a cute girl, surely she wasn't upset by that could she? Or was she sad for some other reason. He kept that in mind, but choose not to press for now.
@Célestine de la Croix-Valmer
Lucky(?) Chance Encounter
Listening to him more she found the sound of his voice quite nice. A somewhat guilty smile caught her attention, but she quickly dismissed it. Perhaps it was only about his first words that she didn't understand.
Something where I could find the local sweets would be great. Stay longer? It could be nice, but also gets lonely quite fast when I have no company with me. Would it be good to stay longer here? She guessed it was possible. However, enjoying festival all by herself, surrounded by families, groups of friends, or even couples, was only going to make her feel more lonely and inevitably it will cause more sadness. He didn't need to know all that. In fact, she wasn't sure why she already admitted to be alone, though on the other hand, it was obvious. Otherwise she would be standing here with someone.
She tried to remove these thoughts from her mind. Now was supposed to be for happiness, or at least more focused on the man near her. He looked nice and like he belonged here. For a second she wondered about herself. Where did she belong? She'd travel around the world, visiting many places to only return back to France. A place she couldn't be herself completely, where she always had to hide her snake, or the simple reality that she could talk to them.
Visits to Hogwarts though quite disastrous more than she'd like, were also bringing her joy. There she saw students and professors not having to hide that they are not just humans. But France and a lot of other countries were not like that. How was it like, to live without having to hide one's talent? She didn't know if she'd ever know the answer to this question.
What about you? Do you intend to spend more time enjoying the festival? Finally returning from her thoughts, she asked him about his plans. It was only fair to know if he wanted to spend more time here or he had other plans in his mind.
@Kotoka Sako
Something where I could find the local sweets would be great. Stay longer? It could be nice, but also gets lonely quite fast when I have no company with me. Would it be good to stay longer here? She guessed it was possible. However, enjoying festival all by herself, surrounded by families, groups of friends, or even couples, was only going to make her feel more lonely and inevitably it will cause more sadness. He didn't need to know all that. In fact, she wasn't sure why she already admitted to be alone, though on the other hand, it was obvious. Otherwise she would be standing here with someone.
She tried to remove these thoughts from her mind. Now was supposed to be for happiness, or at least more focused on the man near her. He looked nice and like he belonged here. For a second she wondered about herself. Where did she belong? She'd travel around the world, visiting many places to only return back to France. A place she couldn't be herself completely, where she always had to hide her snake, or the simple reality that she could talk to them.
Visits to Hogwarts though quite disastrous more than she'd like, were also bringing her joy. There she saw students and professors not having to hide that they are not just humans. But France and a lot of other countries were not like that. How was it like, to live without having to hide one's talent? She didn't know if she'd ever know the answer to this question.
What about you? Do you intend to spend more time enjoying the festival? Finally returning from her thoughts, she asked him about his plans. It was only fair to know if he wanted to spend more time here or he had other plans in his mind.
@Kotoka Sako
La seule limite est celle que vous vous posez
| Linda Ramirez - PC | Kaya Rose Bennett - first iNPC | Ryusei Ishikawa - new iNPC |
The only limit is the one you set for yourself.
Lucky(?) Chance Encounter
4 AUG 2024
Backdated
Akita, Japan
Kanto Night Festival
His eyes widened at what she shared with him. The local sweets things, he understood. But he was taken aback by the mention that she was traveling alone. Didn't she know the number 1# rule of traveling alone as a woman in a foreign country is not to tell anyone you're traveling alone? Perhaps she felt self secured enough that she could handle whatever that came her way. Which was pretty hot, if that were the case. Instead of pointing it out, he merely laughed lightly. " I know a couple of places here that could satisfy a sweetooth. Depends on what you're looking for. Are you looking for sweet street foods, or something you can package home for your loved ones back at home"
"Alone? Well- what a coincidence, I'm traveling alone as well. I agree, you're 100 percent right about it being lonely when traveling alone." he sighs, as if this weighted on him for a while as he looked around the festival. " Interesting isn't it. Surrounded by so many people, and yet there's plenty of ways for loneliness to creep in. You're missing out half the fun of the festival when you have no one to spend it with" he says, his eyes falling to a group of teenagers chuckling and generally having fun.
"Me?" He repeats, almost as if the question surprised him, though still offering her a small smile. " Ah well... I only came here to see a bit of the scene, and go back to my hotel. But I'm in no rush, especially not if I can enhance someone else's experience with this festival through company. One less lonely person in the world would be wonderful, wouldn't you think so?" he assured with a soft playful jest, bowing his head down slightly in greeting. " Kotoka Sako. But you may call me Sako. Apologies for my rudeness, I should've introduced myself much earlier. And you? "
@Célestine de la Croix-Valmer
Lucky(?) Chance Encounter
She knew that it wasn't all that common to admit to traveling alone. But she didn't really care either. Something was making her trust him enough to not have to make up things and excuses. Something to bring back home for my parents. Because there's no one else waiting me home either. This thought however stayed unspoken. She didn't have to spell it out loud to everyone who would offer help that she was single. Neither she was going to go to any arranged dates and things like that. She thought that if she ever had any luck with her relationship, it would happen by itself somehow.
Maybe one day it will change. Then it would be fun trying visiting some festival again. She said it softly, without focusing too much on it. However, the way he said it left her guessing if he also could be single. The thought surprised her as she didn't know why she was starting to have some caring for the man she knew nothing about. Weird, maybe it was the atmosphere of the festival. She left the thought and smiled at him.
That would make the two of us, wouldn't you agree? A little playfulness was evident in her remark. But was there more to it? Perhaps there was a hope, or simple happiness about finding some company in this otherwise lonely evening.
She mirrored his greeting, knowing just enough to respect the culture of the country she was visiting now. Célestine de la Croix-Valmer, but you can call me Cél. She smiled softly and for a second her eyes were full of happiness, all directed at the man that simply offered help and company. There were no expectations in her eyes, nothing that would give him a feeling like she was waiting something from him. Just a company for this evening.
Sako, she was certain that she wouldn't forget it, though she wasn't sure why.
@Kotoka Sako
Maybe one day it will change. Then it would be fun trying visiting some festival again. She said it softly, without focusing too much on it. However, the way he said it left her guessing if he also could be single. The thought surprised her as she didn't know why she was starting to have some caring for the man she knew nothing about. Weird, maybe it was the atmosphere of the festival. She left the thought and smiled at him.
That would make the two of us, wouldn't you agree? A little playfulness was evident in her remark. But was there more to it? Perhaps there was a hope, or simple happiness about finding some company in this otherwise lonely evening.
She mirrored his greeting, knowing just enough to respect the culture of the country she was visiting now. Célestine de la Croix-Valmer, but you can call me Cél. She smiled softly and for a second her eyes were full of happiness, all directed at the man that simply offered help and company. There were no expectations in her eyes, nothing that would give him a feeling like she was waiting something from him. Just a company for this evening.
Sako, she was certain that she wouldn't forget it, though she wasn't sure why.
@Kotoka Sako
La seule limite est celle que vous vous posez
| Linda Ramirez - PC | Kaya Rose Bennett - first iNPC | Ryusei Ishikawa - new iNPC |
The only limit is the one you set for yourself.
Lucky(?) Chance Encounter
4 AUG 2024
Backdated
Akita, Japan
Kanto Night Festival
" Ah, well - you've come to the right place. And found the right person. There's plenty of gifts you can bring home, but not a lot that are worth your money. You'd need someone who's used to finding gifts that are actually worth their price. Some places tent to rack up the prices higher than necessary - I'm sure you've noticed by now". He comments with a light laugh. " Lucky us, huh?". Us, a deliberate word choice. Implying that meeting her made him just as much lucky.
Sako merely only nodded, agreeing that visiting festivals with someone would be great. What did she mean by 'change'? He could make many assumptions, but it was far to early to tell if she meant she was single, or that she was thinking of bringing her parents to a festival next time.
Given her reactions to him, she seemed to somewhat reciprocate the playful energy he was trying to bring in this conversation. Many would have assumed she was flirting, but one could never tell. Well, no matter. She was likely going to leave this country in a few days. And perhaps she only wanted to have fun. Fun that Sako would happily give her now that he was given the chance. Nothing is more fulfilling than being the reason a beautiful woman smiles, isn't it? At the mention that it make two of them, he let out a laugh- light but genuine, amuse evident though he doesn't reply.
"Célestine de la Croix-Valmer .... why does that sound familiar.. french.. I presume, Cél?" he made a bet, switching his tone to what he learned from basic french pronunciation.
@Célestine de la Croix-Valmer