[femaleprincecharming]

“Who would have thought there was going to be a few books out already for some Halloween treats! Hmm… but what should I make first…”

[engekibushacho]

The rumors had been true.  The half semester setback, the sudden disappearance of the stage prince, the tearful farewell from the whole (female) student body -- a solemn PA announcement that had made available to confirm Kashima’s presence “over seas”. 

 The detail that kept on tripping him up was, she was here. “K,” Hori points in the middle of a bookstore, not minding his loudness. “--Kashima!!?”

Hori hadn’t just pinched himself hard enough to pull himself out of a dream, sweeping “the prince” off her feet as she pulls the cookbook from the shelf. 

“What are you,” Hori looks down at the cover, “...baking?” Not missing a beat, he hesitates.

 “When did you start baking?”

[scxthach]

“People have spoken of costumes for this Halloween, but can we not go as ourselves?” She was unsure as to what good it did going as another or pretending to be someone else unless the purpose was nefarious.

[engekibushacho]

Plenty of eccentrics at their school would dress up as the unspeakable on a regular day. The drama club in particular was no stranger to costumes. And yet, ...there were plenty of schoolgoers, primarily girls that would think it - perfectly passable.

He’s seen it happen before. Pass off a “costume” with a head piece, be it a lady bug, bumble bee, for the ones who cut loose - a bunny or a cat. 

“Absolutely not.”

Like lukewarm acting, Hori can’t sit still. Like people that aren’t willing to perform excellently in anything. “Be it you’re a legend, fictional madonna, a beauty a playwright penned.” If you’re going to do it, go all the way. 

“If you’re none of those things,” Hori proclaims nobly, “If you’re going to dress up you dress as something, someone else!” 

“Surely!” He erupts, if she looks like that, “The concept of Halloween isn’t new to you! No one should have to tell you how it’s done!” 

[engekibushacho]

“Whoever was LAST to exit back stage left the keys locked in the changing room!” 

The keys jingle as the unhappy manager ignores a sign that reads “maintenance only”, kicking in what he thinks could only be the props department.

 “---  This again,” His jaw clamps shut, at several unfit acrobats strung high from the ceiling. “For the last time I said NO FLYING.”  Put him anywhere, and thankfully, he’ll hit it right off.

“We’re picking up where we left off LAST rehearsal! What didn’t you GET about FORGETTING FLYING.”

Put him anywhere, and he’ll fit right in.

[engekibushacho]

He’s been here before. Literally a thousand selections for one thing, all marketed at different prices and ...Hori stands in the middle of an aisle, arms full with cables he trudges through the store looking this way and that for assistance. Customer service is the entire walk across the store, and the tallest shelves are too tall to see over. 

“In need of a little help here!” He calls out from behind his stock and with the ceilings so high, sound should carry - but the few workers working summer hours here were probably gathered back in the break room. 

“Talk about customer service.” He grumbles, navigating his way to the cale aile that never ends.

He wanted to know which ones were the best for his purposes, but without if he had to take the pile to the register he would. 

xstillhere

[iwatani]

    There’s a Japanese guy sitting in the middle of a road, holding firecracker the size of an arm. The fuse is lit. Obviously, to any onlooker, this would look ridiculous and dangerous. But it’s the 4th of July, and this is Hive City – there’s odder things that happen.     Even after it explodes in his face, creating a sound loud enough to leave anyone’s ears ringing for minutes (which oddly enough, it doesn’t), and he simply looks at the mess of smoke in front of him unfazed – yeah, there’s really nothing especially odd with this image. Nothing odd at all.

「These fireworks suck.」

[engekibushacho]

He’s seen worse. Working with a team of amateurs, -- excited about what they do, all there by referral because they want to make stuff. -- It takes a lot of precautions. 

But you take one dim light and figure out what’s wrong with it, - and you get accidents like this. 

Same as going back to 0 days since somebody got smacked in the face with a plank, - walked under a ladder the wrong time, ...a saw goes off and clears the entire back (and front) stage until somebody can figure how to figure it off. 

That someone is him. More often than not he’d like to admit. 

Hori holds his tongue as he reaches over to extract the fire cracker out of the stunned guy’s hand. 

“You know these are meant to go off. They’re designed that way.” Hori holds the fire cracker at arms distance away from him.

“...If you want to learn how to set them off they can be fun. I can teach you how.”

[femaleprincecharming]

To: Senpai From: Kashima [text]: It’s not that difficult, you’ll get use to it eventually. But I had this phone for a long time. [text]: Ah! Of course! [text]: After all, a Prince must be the one to treat his Princess

… Erase that last message before it is sent to change Senpai’s mind. That would not end well on both your part and his.

[text]: I haven’t seen you around in a while, and I thought it would be different.

Perfect save. Now to think of where to go. She had been here longer then Hori, so somewhere nice for the two of them to stay would be around sector 6. It’s usually pretty quiet and peaceful there. That seems like the perfect plan! Looking down at the question, Kashima tapped her chin for a moment. If Hori was in his room, they could walk together. But if he’s out… then maybe giving him the location would be best.

[text]: Are you in your room? If not, then we can both meet each other in Sector 6.  [text]: The place isn’t that hard to find, just look for a pastry store with a pink rooftop. You won’t regret eating there.~

[engekibushacho]

Way ahead of her. It’s a five minute walk to the nearest function that serves caffeine, and it takes coffee to look like he means it first thing in the morning, and Hori hates wasting the day away -- so while he’s taking to the streets, the aroma of cacao beans professionally roasted wafting through the streets - Heaven.

[sms] I’m in line

[picture] The line of customers, mainly girls and dates in pairs lined up outside.

[sms] By the time you get here, we can order up.

It would so happen that the same place serves decadent pastries, the line in wait going out the door - This is the place was talking about. 

He hasn’t had his morning cup yet, so he’s personally a fan of the place Kashima mentioned.

“The place where they brew coffee every 20 minutes, won’t serve it unless it’s fresh?” He sighs to himself dreamily, lost in the moment. Hori clenches his fist in anticipation, talking to himself after a long break of silence. Kashima should arrive at any time now... 

they’d just have to wait wait back in line.

“It’s as if she knows me.” 

[femaleprincecharming]

What is this feeling...?

[femaleprincecharming]

What on earth is going on? Doesn’t Hori realize that Kashima wanted to stay away? Not be by his side? But why on earth would she think of something like that, when it is usually the exact opposite? Perhaps the feeling of being around him for too long made her see him in a different light? The young male damsel was the role she wanted to give him, and yet he acts nothing like it. It almost made her want to just leave without a word. However…

Hori-Senpai was smart. Knowing what words to use that would still have her feet planted to the grown. The mention of sweets… something Kashima could never turn down as long as she lived. 

He was smart. Something she can’t say no to.

Eyes staring down at her Senpai with confusion, Kashima let herself sigh lightly before facing him. “It’s weird that you would come out of no where and offer something like this to me. You don’t usually show this side of yourself.” Glancing away for a moment, the sudden hatred for him was still there, but not as much as it was a few moments ago. After all, a free meal is something no one would ever turn down. Even if it’s someone you don’t find any fondness for.

“There’s a place, not that far from here. Just keep up if you still want to treat me.” Kashima shrugged to herself and began walking in that direction, weather he would follow her or not is up to him in the end.

[engekibushacho]

What was wrong with Kashima today?  

She’s never this bad. He might ask, but he’s seen what happens when Kashima’s fans get too close -- ask something intrusive, before she starts straight-up lying. She’s great at playing it off, but - today she just isn’t having it. 

They’ share the exact same temperament today, if he was his usual self, but -- he’s busy being a little offput by how snippy the token actor is being. 

“Your point?” Hori doesn’t flinch, taking Kashima’s arm under his elbow as he doesn’t budge from his spot, “You’re not running late to anything. It’d be different if you were.” He mentions, blowing off some steam when he sighs, “Yeah, I’ve seen it. saw it the other day.” leading her across a busy street he turns them straight into a dessert parlor. 

“Didn’t go in.” He clears his throat, “...made me think somewhere you would go into.”  

(Made him think of you.) They stick out, the moment the bell chimes behind them. Someone that looks ordinary like Hori walking in. It’s like he can’t go anywhere without feeling like he’s traveling with a celebrity. 

Then you’ve got Kashima ...stuck in a mood that couldn’t get any worse, but he doesn’t ask. 

He doesn’t complain, not this time.

They take a booth, sliding a menu to her and doesn’t bother to flick through his, not that thoroughly. “You don’t have to worry about it, next time we’ll cover the price in halves.”

It’s just what he says to make the coveted actor quiet down. Even back when he was pres of a club hard to keep track of -- Nothing came from the club’s budget, -- everything personal towards Kashima came straight out of his pocket. 

So this was exactly the same. “Is there something you want to split?” For someone who doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth... He turns to the menu’s back, “You’ll be having most of it.” 

[femaleprincecharming]

engekibushacho

[femaleprincecharming]

To: Senpai From: Kashima [text]: Senpaiiiiiii [text]: I don’t hear that much from you. I hope everything is going well with you.  [text]; I don’t have any plans for today, so we should have lunch together.

[engekibushacho]

Hori doesn’t even dread the name that pops up on his phone. back where they came from -- It could mean one possible thing. The prince got in trouble, Kashima needed something. 

Not so special if it’s an every day thing, but it’s been pretty lowkey -- As much as Hori relishes the quiet... 

He flicks his phone open to find an invitation.

See, ...treats like this are rare. 

To: Ouji

From: Hori

[sms] Have you tried texting with this thing? for the first week it doesn’t [sms] Under sand [sms] Understand [sms] m

[sms] Are you going to treat me?  [sms] That’d be a first. 

Hori checks his wallet, anyway, peeking inside at how much he carries today. -- It’s enough to cover them both. 

He blows his bangs out of his face. Checking in the nearby reflective back of a street sign... He fixes them, nevermind the observers on his side of the street. He gives them a “look”, that doesn’t make them look twice. 

[sms] Where are we meeting.

[engekibushacho]

It’s just like the kind of script they turn down at his department. 

It’s nothing personal. It just doesn’t float. The plot falls flat. The characterization falls apart. 

Everybody is unhappy. 

Hori’s job ...is a little different. It’s set apart from all that ‘drama’, even if it’s his department’s name. He works well under stress, he can perform because he wants to. He has his actors and peacemakers to do what people like, -- but Hori? 

Again, with the sort of different. 

Hori doesn’t want anything to do with it, not really, but since he showed up the discovery of someone else in the city -- that’s kept him on his toes. Someone he has to care about. 

That does matter. 

Hori’s about to rip through the next person he sees, he’s good at that. With his even temperament -- He hasn’t got the time for this. 

But he does have time for Kashima. And if it sends them both reeling, -- it’ll be that disaster they narrowly avoided.

It’s not his kind of day. You don’t start with him.

The sky is doing its thing. His eyebrows upturn when the seam in the set above them rips from one side to the other -- wrestling a neighboring woman out of the way, from a loose panel of a billboard.

He’s not about to watch the wreckage take local bystanders down with him. What kind of moron would let this slide? Even your best coward - on a day like this, would wisen up and ...try to be a hero.

That’s the best-worst they can do.

but if they’re going to make it out of this make-or-break scene... 

He’s got to find his star. Unfortunately, unlike the small school that news spreads like wildfire -- the whereabouts of the prince are unavailable to him. 

What really pisses him off isn’t that he can’t find a familiar face.

...It’s the fact that no matter how much ‘face time’ he got with the diva in mind, forget the ten thousand times he couldn’t get that glaringly bright voice out of his head -- he might not be able to see her again.

".....”

On speed dial, Hori presses three shortcuts on his phone and waits for the other end to respond. It goes straight to voicemail, and ...deep breath... Time to not lose his cool on call.

“Kashima. Pick up.” 

[femaleprincecharming]

What is this feeling...?

[femaleprincecharming]

"Hori…? What are you doing." Normally, Kashima would have enjoyed any kind of affection Hori-Senpai would give her. Most of the time it was violent, but she was convinced it was to hide his shyness or something more ridiculous. However, instead of feeling appreciative and acceptance of his affectionate side, she could do nothing but glare down at the shorter man. Emerald eyes glaring as if they could pierce through human flesh easily.

Just as it seems as he was going to continue petting her head, Kashima took a step back, not wanting to have any contact with the other. “Don’t you think your advance is too forward.” A simple statement as she arched a brow at him. What gave him that choice to be so… touchy with her.

It was weird…

Crossing her arms over her chest, canting her head one way, almost bewildered of his “demand" to tell him everything about this city For them to walk together and have her explain everything?

"Hori. Have you been getting lazy?" A moments pause. "I don’t really want to be around you if I have to explain yourself. Go find someone else to cling to. I’ve been here far too long to repeat myself. I sound like a broken record."

She really just didn’t want to be in the same area as him now.

[engekibushacho]

Faintly enough, Kashima’s grating responses don’t set the bad side of him off, which as anybody knows is an easy bomb to set off. Hori’s a live wire, and Kashima is the easiest pull to that trigger. Anyone that has seen these two in the same place together acknowledges that, and stands 50 ft back. 

So he doesn’t often get a chance to see anyone else in a bad mood. 

“Forward. ” 

and the easiest trigger to pull is Kashima.

The laziest forth recipe to Kashima’s ice prince gimmick is this, Hori doesn’t have responsibilities to anymore so he has this to worry about. He feels pranked. 

“Come again.” He beckons her over with a pronounced motion that means anything but ‘argue back’. The prince sure can try, and she doesn’t seem like she’d go home without putting both her fists up. He’s certainly not the one that stepped out in the worst mood out of the two, and that’s 

...strange. Almost nice. That’s part of the reason he doesn’t mind, being almost nice back.

“I’ve been here for all of two minutes. What’s your issue.” 

That should give Hori enough to work with, but he doesn’t see the point in unburdening every one of the prince’s sighs. She’s practically just moping. 

He doesn’t uncross his arms at the every mention of her bluntness. If anything, he’s tapping his foot made in an effort trying to understand. There’s something wrong with Kashima. 

In fact. They’re leaving. He’s worked enough with this primadonna to put out the fire to her misdemeanor. She’s a girl, and she has standards. But the female variety also aren’t the toughest to please. Now Hori has options... 

“Did you want to go get your parfait?” Leave it up to Kashima, wandering around a place she doesn’t know. “You ate too many sweets all in one sitting, didn’t you. I won’t gab with you like the company you usually have, but...” The director releases a punctuated sigh, arms locked together with his new, mopey casanova. 

“Why don’t you let me treat you just this once.” 

[engekibushacho]

[supersecretsquirrelsin-deactiva]

flaws/strengths - bold which applies to your character

[paradoxchivalry-blog]

Forceful | Fearful | Enthusiastic | Obstructive | Spontaneous | Pushy | Trustworthy | Loose-tongued | Respectful | Mistrustful | Tolerant | Undisciplined | Observant | Sloppy | Optimistic | Rude | Caring | Contemptuous | Generous | Short-sighted | Practical | Passive | Considerate | Aggressive | Self-assured | Bossy | Inspiring | Chaotic | Adventurous | Cynical | Lively | Blunt | Persuasive | Stand-offish | Serious | Vague | Idealistic | Inflexible | Warm | Moody | Humorous | Indifferent | Friendly | Intolerant | Determined | Wasteful | Patient | Stubborn | Orderly | Reckless | Disciplined | Inhibited | Ambitious | Naive | Dedicated | Greedy | Flexible | 'Fanatical' | Logical | Dull | Open | Arrogant | Accurate | Lazy | Independent | Selfish | Intelligent | Complaining | Tactful | Impatient | Hard | Honest | Shallow | Straightforward | Strict | Appreciative | Shy | Versatile | Prejudiced* 

[engekibushacho]

tagging hairbowing valentinebirthday femaleprincecharming for this or next week

[femaleprincecharming]

What is this feeling...?

Bugs. Bugs everywhere! This really wasn’t a time for bugs! Especially during a romantic holiday with someone she would like to spend some time with. It can’t be helped. It looks like whomever Kashima would like to hang out with today, it would have to be indoors. Though it wouldn’t bother her too much. There are lots of fun activities she could do inside with someone else, and their was no way she would receive any complaints about it, as long as they were together. It was something that wouldn’t have bothered Kashima at all. Now to find someone willing to spend some time with her.

Kashima didn’t have to look far, nor think twice after seeing someone she knew so well. Someone she admires because of his amazing acting skills, and someone who is able to take charge. What are the odds of running into him on a fine day like this!

"Senpai— ow…" Kashima called out to the other, but stopped midway, feeling a small bug bite on her arm. Letting a small frown cross her lips, she lightly scratched the bite on her arm before looking up at Hori.

Something felt… off. Way off. Looking at Senpai was like looking at someone she could not say she liked, which was hardly anyone she knew, but it was something she felt.

Approaching Hori, her feelings simply changed in a matter of seconds. Eyes staring down at him, her usual, cheerful smile fading. A more serious, cold feeling was given off as she took in a deep sigh.

"What are you doing here, Hori."

engekibushacho

[engekibushacho]

New locale, new city, absolutely no foothold on how things work here. He's learning, that it's a place brimming with enthusiasts. it's either that or a dream he got dropped into, based on whose whims, that he really needs to wake up from. Now.

but the strangest thing he's seen today is that recognizable face. 

"Kashima." The best way to describe it is habit, not stopping for a beat."You're already getting into accidents." Hori pays a glance down at his watch, "and it's not even... 11:45." The president announces, beating his cue. 

"I'd like to ask the same for you." He approaches the best actor known to go down in school history, advancing to her side with a quick few strides. "Crying wolf again." He peeks around, hands in his pockets. 

Searching for a mob, a swarm of ...something he should dangerously avoid. A stampede, rather. He'd extracted her many a time, and just like that. He took his time to thoroughly check the area. 

"You're alone?" He cocks an eyebrow at the primadonna, taking back to fall into a relaxed state. "You almost looked in your element there for a second, like you. ...know the place better than me." 

"...Comfortably make your presence?" Hori reaches over, with no prelude grabs the top of her head. A curious but fond gesture. The way he says it, it's like the thousand times he made Kashima pay, like he'd sarcastically stick on 'Your Majesty' at the end. He ruffles her head, combining it with an enforced grip to her crown. It's in there somewhere. "I didn't think I'd see you here."

With that, he releases her. 

He shrugs, unphased, swiping off a few pesks, ladybugs clinging at his sleeve. "Did it even take you a whole day." He retorts at air, "So. What else are you keeping from me. I'll let you know I'm not in the mood for pranks." 

"I want the whole run down. What's with you, and what's with this place." He beckons to her with two fingers, a presidential summoning to his favorite actor. "Come along, we can talk and walk."

[femaleprincecharming]

Kashima held a small box of cookies in her hand as she approach her Senpai’s room. Knowing on the door, she waits anxiously for him to answer. When he did, her face brightens up before exclaiming to the other. "Happy Valentine’s Day, President. I got you a little something.~" Of course she made it, but she’s not going to tell him that. Taking a single cookie, she smile a little more, thinking it would be best for her to be charming today. "Senpai~ Open wide. Say, "Aaaaaah~""

She was going to feed Hori. Yup. To show her affection.

engekibushacho 

[engekibushacho]

What are these. 

There's only one explanation behind Kashima's super simple motive. If it wasn't an onslaught of admirers that carted her all the way to the movie showing. Nozaki's muse, probably. The sakura girl? Girls were okay with each other, if they mingled close for whatever reason. right. 

 "Did you get suckered into another film? What did I tell you about slacking." Chick flick, he's presuming. Content wise, lame. Some story about the guy stringing along three gals, that are somehow beyond beheading each other. Loves each one equally, learns how to recognize all their faults, buys out the theme of an entirely commercial holiday. The kind of film Hori downvotes and leaves these brutal comments that never encourages anyone to love again. 

Single-handedly dismantles the possibility of singularity to be happy. 

What kind of theme is that? 

"I get that's the only genre your ...crowd, goes for." Exhausted, Hori is exasperated. Thinking up one good damn reason Kashima would turn up with something like this. Other than the obvious, to piss him off and effectively prank him. Kashima's just loaded with things that happened, useless stuff Hori shucks to take on some peace of mind.

So this is his consolation prize? Hori never truly "got" what it was all about, but.  

"Where did you get these from." He cautiously starts to take one of the heartfelt biscuits smiling back at him. He doesn't judge, but the whole batch has too much personality, itcould be home made. "...you didn't have anybody ...pay for these, ...right. you took money out of your own, pocket." truly spoken for the budget of their group. a little on the hurtful side, but can anyone say it's unlikely? 

"Look too happy to be eaten, though. Have you had one." He takes a bite off the one she offers him without a second thought. 

Wait, what is Kashima doing. Feed? 

"WHY DON'T YOU EAT THEM ALL YOURSELF." Hori grabs three, cramming a trio of smiling, willing hearts to stuff her cheeks. He dusts off his hands, clearing his throat at a job completed, but the remaining sweets on the platter look a whole lot less eager and scared straight. 

"...." He sighs. He'd feel a little less like a monster if they were back to smiling. 

Grabbing for her wrist, the president leans in and snap off at least half of the biscuit he'd bitten off earlier. "...They're good. Thanks. You have the rest." 

[engekibushacho]

Is kashima seriously flirting with someth not her kind. that's hearteyes motherfucker rated earthquake headed your way. 

Hold on to your jimmies, citta. Call Hori when you know what the damage is. 

[tsundere-sweet-heart]

[asahiis]

[engekibushacho]

President of the drama club Hori Masayuki