A new vendor is moving into Cherry Blossom Florals--and changing it to the name 'Koneko no Sumi Ie'--and Eris and Michiko have decided a welcome wagon is just what is needed. Remy wanders by just in time to get in on the action.
Koneko no Sumi Ie -- Chinatown
Cherry Blossom Florals is looking a little different lately. For one thing, the sign has been taken down, replaced by a smaller card propped up in a window which announces, in politely midsized English print, "Closed for renovations. To open under new management," and beneath this in Japanese, "Koneko no Sumi Ie." The windows have also been emptied of any displays.
At present, however, the front door is propped wide open to let in fresh air, and there are occasional scraping noises as the lone occupant of the shop hauls any and all remaining movable objects - most of which at this point are kind of heavy - into the back of the store. And kicking up a fair amount of dust while he's at it.
"Eris? You bring sauce for gyoza, yes?" Michiko fusses at her assistant as they stop just outside the door, tapping politely on the frame. "And straighten your blouse. You look like urchin. If you have short hair, must keep it *trimmed*. Not falling in eyes like little child. Stand up straight."
Somehow, Eris manages to keep a straight face while juggling a basket filled with several white carryout boxes, trying to tug her t-shirt straight, *and* run her free hand through her hair. "Hai, Michiko-san - I have the sauce. AND the Futo-Maki. AND the bottle of plum wine. And I will get my hair trimmed tomorrow."
"And untie your shirt. What girls think these days - boys are not impressed by girl showing belly - they do not *marry* girl who shows everyone belly. They marry nice girls who cook good and keep nice house."
"Miiiiiichiko!"
"Oh, I don' know, Mama-san, some bellies are wort' marryin' over." That would be Remy, who has probably been behind Michiko and Eris for several minutes, now, even though he's only now making his presence known. Michiko will have plenty of material if she chooses to shift her critical eye to Gambit; he's dressed in ragged jean cut-offs, a beaten M*A*S*H t-shirt, and his hair is held back precariously by the sunglasses he has pushed into it. Considering that he lives only up the street, he's probably seen the changes Cherry Blossom Florals has undergone, slowly, but until this particular moment it hasn't really attracted the Cajun's attention. He'll barge right into the welcoming party, however, because he's part of the family, right? "What're we up to?"
There's a thump from the back of something heavy being set down, and presently Aya emerges, holding the back of one hand fastidiously in front of his nose and mouth and making a disgusted "tah!" sound of air hissing through his teeth as he finds himself breathing dust anyhow. With a little shake of his head, he crosses the stripped-down interior of the shop towards the open door, to regard the visitors waiting there with a mixture of cautious reserve and faintly bemused curiosity. "Can I..." His English is carefully pronounced, the Japanese accent mild. "...help you?"
"How you know?" Michiko retorts, giving Remy a Look. "You get Rogue marry *you* yet? You my boy, you not leave house like that!" Michiko purses her lips in a look of distaste. "Rogue *good* girl. Nice girl. Know how to dress. You two - make me old woman. Look at me.." Her testy expression melts into a bright smile as Aya comes into view, and she steps forward, bowing slightly and chattering happily in Japanese. "//I am Michiko - this is my assistant, Eris - and a friend, Remy LeBeau. We are so pleased to meet you - it is good to see that this store will no longer sit empty. We wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood.//"
Oh, it's that Look that Remy never rightly figured out how to handle, having never *had* a real, proper mother. The Cajun almost cringes backwards, looking down to tug at his shirt bemusedly. There's nothing wrong with it! "Non, Mama-san, I ain't asked her. B'sides, dere was t'--" That's as far as the Cajun gets in the sentence before Aya is appearing out of the shop, and he closes his mouth to let Michiko do all the talking. His Japanese isn't *that* good. He *will* execute a respectful if ultimately lazy mini-bow if Aya looks at him at all, however.
He is, Aya reflects, going to *kill* Yoji for leaving him to handle this alone. That dark thought is not reflected in the polite, slightly more formal bow which answers Michiko's and Remy's. "//It is very much appreciated,//" he says in Japanese, and then more succinctly in English as he straightens, "Thank you." Violet eyes move from one to the other to the other, sharp with interest. "I am Fujimiya Aya."
Darting Michiko a disgruntled and exasperated look, Eris bows formally when she is introduced, stepping forward to offer the basket she holds. "//It is an honor to meet you, Fujimiya-san,//" She says quietly, her Japanese accent flawless, despite the fact that she is obviously not Japanese. "//Michiko-san and I noticed how hard you were working over here, and believed you might appreciate some refreshment.//"
"//Yes,//" Michiko confirms, looking happier the more Aya talks. It is so *good* to have someone familiar about again. Eris was close, but this - it was almost as though she were home, having a polite conversation with someone just met. "//Eris and I run Ogori's..//" She points off towards the restaurant. "//And we would be honored if you would choose to join us there some night for supper - it has been a long time since I have had the chance to converse with someone from my country.//" Eris gets a level look. "//And my assistant could use some company who knows *how* to dress. Perhaps she will even tuck *in* her shirt if we have company.//"
Remy's ability to follow the conversation is rapidly fading, and subsequently he squints a little, watching the other three. He is certainly not making any motions to tuck his shirt in. He does, after a long moment and finding a proper pause in conversation, speak up. His own Japanese is as heavily accented as his English, and obviously something he could stand to learn more fully. "//If you need help...I can help.//" He gestures vaguely to the store.
They brought him... food? Aya actually blinks, and his visitors might just about be able to hear the mental gears hastily shifting before he moves to accept the basket Eris offers him. "//Thank you,//" he says again. "//You are very kind.//" His attention returns to Remy, and is swiftly arrested by the color of the Cajun's eyes - some of that sharpness comes back into his own before he lids them politely. "The offer is appreciated," he tells Remy, "but not necessary." And because he hasn't got any teammates around to foist the duty off on, he adds, "Please come in," as he steps back from the open doorway.
Eris steps back to allow Michiko to move ahead of her - despite her often disgruntled attitude towards the older woman, she shows her more deference than she does anyone else - though that does not take the outraged look from her eyes. Flicking a glance at Remy, she quickly unties her t-shirt, shoving it into her jeans while trying to pretend that she's done No Such Thing.
"//This will be a lovely store when you have finished,//" Michiko tells Aya as she comes inside, peering around curiously. "//You will learn, living here in America, Fujimiya-san, that it is a custom for the neighbors in places like this to welcome each other - and to help when they can. Remy-san is a good boy, and a hard worker. And Eris-chan, perhaps she can assist you too, if you have need. It would be good for her.//" Eris gets a sharp look, before Michiko switches to English for Remy's sake. "You do not intend to run this store by yourself?"
A hard worker, right. A sly smile curls Remy's mouth more on one side than the other, amused. If he's insulted by Aya's reaction to his eyes, he doesn't show it--this is something the Cajun has long been used to. He'll let Eris and Michiko enter the store before him, his walk easy, nearly silent, and uncannily smooth, uncannily controlled. "Well, lemme know 'f you change your mind." Remy tells Aya. He isn't letting up on that accent in English.
The store certainly isn't lovely right *now,* in any case; without stands filled with greenery to obscre the walls, the signs of age inside the building are all too apparent. The raised area of the front window, however, is at least mostly free of dust and brightly lit besides, and it's to this spot that Aya takes the basket. Eris may find, as she finishes tucking in her shirt, that his eyes are on her, but in the next moment he's looking away with no particular signs of either amusement or criticism. "No," he tells Michiko. "But my associate has not yet arrived in the city. I am... making an early start, on the renovations."
Eris blinks, and flushes - pale cheeks going almost scarlet - though the rest of her expression never changes. Following Michiko inside, she too looks around curiously - but she is not seeing the state the store is in now. She sees what it could be, and a faint smile finally curves her lips. "It will be lovely, when it is done." She has seen such shops in Japan - she has an idea, what could be done with this place.
"Yes." Michiko agrees, bestowing a proud smile on her assistant. Her own English is accented far more heavily than Aya's, and it is clear, occasionally, that she struggles. "It is good, to start soon," she tells him, her tone becoming more briskly business-like. "You will come to dinner tonight - I will have sukiyaki, and Eris will make tea. There is good business in ths town - perhaps we will order from you, and tell our customers." Because they will ask - of course they will. "Seven o'clock."
Remy's eyes trace over the building a bit differently than the others'; while they see potential, he sees what *is*, where the weak seams and joints are, where it would be easiest to hide cameras or persons, how easy access would be after hours. Not that he plans on stealing from a little flower shop--but some habits die harder than others. He can follow the conversation perfectly well, now that it's in English, but for the most part the Cajun says quiet because he doesn't have anything to add.
And again Aya finds himself blinking in surprise - not so much at anything that anyone has *said* as at the matter-of-fact way he's just been drafted for dinner. Mental note to self: doublecheck with Omi, *are* there any Kritiker personnel already in Beacon Harbor? Say, fronting a restaurant in Chinatown? "...Ah," he manages intelligently, after some moments. "Dinner?"
There's the barest hint of a whisper just off Aya's side. Eris, pretending deep interest in the wall, and speaking terribly quietly, trying to avoid Michiko hearing her. "Just say yes. Trust me. It's easier."
Apparently it is not quiet enough - Michiko gives Eris a sharp look, that turns quickly into a warm smile, and another of those brisk nods when she turns back to Aya. "Good! You will be there. Do not forget - seven o'clock. I will make spring rolls and miso soup - it is quiet in the evening during week. Come early, Eris will have tea for you while you wait."
There's something laughing in Remy's bright eyes, and he slants Eris a briefly wide-eyed grin behind Michiko's back. *Now* she's in for it. He still doesn't have anything to say--mostly because opening his mouth will probably prompt Michiko to fill it again--so he takes to leaning against the wall with his shoulders, legs crossed at the ankles and apparently completely comfortable right where he is.
Aya's eyes flick towards Eris, briefly... and because it really seems like she's right, he capitulates. "Seven o'clock," he agrees, inclining his head to Michiko. "I will not forget."
"Good." Michiko looks far too pleased with herself, really, as she turns for the door. "You should rest. Is not good, to work too hard. Man must eat, must rest - stay healthy. Eris - come. You should find clean clothes for tonight. NO JEANS. Remy. You will help old woman put pots away, yes?"
Remy is clearly not getting away with just lounging around all scruffy today. Pushing off of the wall, his grin goes a little rueful. "Well, mebbe, Mama-san, 'f I get some food outta it." It's a fair compromise, particularly considering she probably would have forced the food on him anyway. His eyes lift to Aya, briefly, and his head bobs in something that might have been a nod or a bow. "Welcome to de neighborhood."
By way of an answer, Aya inclines his head to the Cajun. "Thank you." He's left to watch with something akin to bemused admiration as Michiko corrals her troops, and the mental note gets revised - *is* this woman a member of Kritiker? And if not... perhaps they should look into recruiting her?
Finis!