-- 玲

Happiness comes in the shape of takoyaki! Affiliated with AOD || Roomed in APT #122 0 Deaths || 0 Kills || 0 Executions

[ren-amiyama-nasty-crimeboy]

The babies being cuties

[anachronostic]

{ Tick. } One look, and Zen knows the thought never even crossed her mind. To be fair, it had barely crossed his, but even he knows that in order to get goods and services, money must be given in exchange. He lifts his eyes up to the dreary city sky, not really rolling them but definitely caught somewhere between exasperation and…affection. It’s so very Rei, after all. However, they’re saved from being in debt within less than a day, as the vendor explains that “Monokuma” has stated that food in the city is on him…excluding any of the high-end, actually healthy stuff. The indescribable surreality of the vendor makes him think of where they’re both…from. Thank the gods for free food. He’s pretty sure Rei is going to hit the roof at this, and he supposes it’s one good thing, after all. He hasn’t said anything during this point, but he gives her this amused look—subtly there, presented as a lifting of one eyebrow and a soft chuckle. { Tock. }

[platinumcoin]

Rei looks up at Zen, waiting for him to say something; anything, really. When the vendor had explained that all the food was on this Monokuma thing, she instantly felt relieved, but felt stupid at the same time. Well, all the better to have free food while they're here. She helps herself to another batch of takoyaki and holds it out to Zen.

"H-here."  She feels her cheeks warm up when she presents him with food, but does her best to think nothing of it. It was the best she could do at the moment to thank him for finding her and looking after her. And it looks like she won't budge if he wanted to deny the takoyaki. "Where do you wanna go now, Zen? Should we see if everyone else is here with us?"

[platinumcoin]

teamwork [ minato ]

Standing near one of the food stands set up, Rei rocks back and forth on her heels as she munches on a corn dog out of the three she had bought. She waits patiently for the streets to become lively again so that she can go home without worrying about someone rushing in to get her while she wasn't by Zen's side. Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spots a familiar blue haired boy pass by the stand. "Oh!" Rei swallows the piece she was eating and trails after him.

"Leader, it's me, Rei! It's pretty lucky that we're able to run into each other like this." She giggles as she grabs other corn dog. "Is this another one of those labyrinths that we're supposed to explore?" Munch, munch, chew. "I can't wait to tell Zen that you're here! Do you know if everyone else is here as well?" 

[platinumcoin]

companions [ kirino ]

Rei ventures off into the city, hoping to find some sort of clue to get her and Zen home. She knew it wouldn't be wise to go without him, but she didn't want to burden him at all. Besides, she found it best to stay near the apartment she lived in, that way she can just rush back inside if danger came after her. After some time, she starts to tire herself out, seeing that nothing helpful came her way. It wasn't until Rei spots a girl off across the street all by herself that she decides to spring into action.

"Um, w-wait!" She calls out as she sprints over to her, "What are you doing all alone here?" She figures that this girl needed some sort of company to keep her safe. After all, she wouldn't wish to become a bystander and allow her to meet a terrible fate. She smiles up at her, "My name's Rei!" Then, she takes out a box of donuts out of nowhere, opens it, and holds it out. "Do you want one? I have all sorts of flavors from jelly-filled to chocolate to glazed!"

[anachronostic]

{ Tick. }

[platinumcoin]

"I know, Rei." He puts a hand on her head and gently ruffles her hair, making a dismissive sound at her statement. Rei, killing anyone? Ludicrous. She doesn’t even have to say it.

He can’t promise he’ll play nice if anyone threatens her, though.

"Well. We’ll have to start thinking about money—"

"…Wait. How did you buy that takoyaki in the first place?"

…Is he missing something? Wouldn’t be the first time.

{ Tock. }

"Huh?" Rei looks at Zen in confusion with the last of the takoyaki in her mouth. Usually she didn't have money on her, especially when they were at Yasogami. Most of the time, the vendors didn't mind she got food from the booths without paying, well, mainly because they didn't pay attention to her in the first place. She was so used that that kind of treatment that she didn't think twice about taking the food from the vendor.

"Um..." She fidgets sheepishly, pressing her index fingers together. "I don't have money... I was so scared of being alone that the first thing I did was eat." It was the one thing that did help her keep her mind off of things until she found Zen. But, now what is she supposed to do? Rei turns to the vendor and quickly bows. "I'm sorry! I don't have money but I promise I will find a way to pay you back! Really!" Good grief. Guilt brings her down a bit after she realizes that Zen will take responsibility for her actions nevertheless. She straightens herself up and looks at Zen then the vendor, "Sorry for causing you trouble..."

[platinumcoin]

anachronostic:

{ Tick. }

When Rei gives him her answer around a mouthful of food, he grimaces, the edge of it visible just over the tip of his collar. “Yes. There’s something about ‘mutual killing’…I assume this city is engaged in some form of blood sport, in a way of speaking. We have to be very careful, Rei.”

She takes his hand and makes a pendulum of it; like usual, all that he worries about just slides off of her, and she seems more concerned about food than anything else.

Same old Rei. He relents a little, just a bit, acknowledging her attempt to cheer him. Gloom and doom isn’t what he’s trying to bring, but this city has enough of it to saturate anyone.

"Of course I’ll protect you." He only blinks as she waves the takoyaki—she’s so short compared to him, the food’s barely up to his chin—letting out another sigh.

"Fine. We’ll have to find all the restaurants worth visiting, won’t we?" And there’s a bit of levity back in his tone, if only just.

{ Tock. }

"I know, I know!" She says with a pout. There he goes, letting his concerns getting the best of him. Looks like there isn't much she can do to at the moment, but that doesn't mean she's going to stop trying. "B-but even so, we won't hurt anybody... I don't want to kill people, Zen..." Her cheerful aura fades and she looks down at her feet. The last thing she would want is for Zen to kill someone else out of defense and if they discovered it was him, who knows what kind of fate would await him.

She snaps out of her worry the second he mentions food. "Y-yeah!" She says, looking up at him, "I bet there's lots and lots of things we haven't eaten yet! Like pickled veggies or spicy mayo or even tempura!"

[anachronostic]

{ Tick. }

Zen stands mostly immobile as Rei gives him a great big hug, closing his eyes and sighing with relief. She seems to be okay, and she’s cramming food into her mouth like usual, which furthers emphasizes that her physical state is sound.

That grin implies the same for her mental state as well. Sound. That’s good.

He brings her closer with one arm and allows her to embrace him for a while longer.

"Of course I found you." Was there ever any doubt on that matter? Zen scans the crowds over Rei’s shoulder, his stance turning tenser by the moment. It’s just his protective nature speaking, maybe, but the city is doing nothing but stimulating this part of him into overdrive. Regardless, he answers her question.

"It’s a city, Rei. I’m certain there’s plenty of food around." He lets go now and offers her a small smile, before assuming his usual stoic stare. "This place…How much do you understand of the current situation?"

He folds his arms, watching her with apparent impassiveness. 

{ Tock. }

[platinumcoin]

Same old Zen. Seeing him act so protective and rigid was enough to assure Rei that he was fine, though she did wish he could loosen up a bit. Maybe if she offers some of her food, he would cheer up! Well, if she still has some takoyaki left. "Hm..." She munches on her food as she tries to recall what little she knows of their surroundings. "That bear said something about killings, didn't it?" That really wasn't something pleasant to think about. She'd rather forget that all of that is going on here and try to find a way back home with Zen, but it appears that won't be happening any time soon.

Hoping to relax Zen, Rei slips her free hand into his and swings their arms back and forth. "I was scared but... Now that I'm with you, there's nothing to worry about, right? Because I know that you're going to protect me!" She perks up at Zen as she moves her takoyaki towards his face. "Do you want one? They're very good! I know you'll love them, Zen! Oh, but if you don't want takoyaki, we can search for some donuts instead!"

[platinumcoin]

"Does eating food count as a job? It's the only thing I'm good at."

[anachronostic]

{ Tick. }

The city bustles with more noise and activity than he can nearly stand. It’s not as if he hasn’t been in a city before, it’s not as if he hates it, it’s just the fact that his patience and temper have both fled him in light of a single event.

He doesn’t know where Rei is.

This alarming fact, compounded with the entire situation, honestly puts him in a tailspin. Zen shakes his head to clear it, but his expression fails to relax—along with his heartbeat—until he skulks through the crowds and finds the one person he’s been searching for…by a food stand. Of course. His instincts regarding her are still on point, at least. 

"Rei," he says simply, the sound a sigh of relief as he stands by her side. "Are you all right?"

Hopefully the shock of his sudden appearance doesn’t cause her to choke on her food. It wouldn’t be the first time.

{ Tock. }

[platinumcoin]

Rei couldn't bear being alone, having to fend for herself in this mysterious city. After hearing on how things worked here, Rei fled as fast as she could and ended up getting lost in the process. Time seemed to have dragged on as Rei stood by herself, trembling with fear. "Z-Zen... Where are you? H-help me..." What should she do now? Zen was no where in sight and she couldn't protect herself, yet she knew she couldn't just stand out here and be an easy target for those who wish to do harm onto others.

Slowly, Rei began to take small steps and began to swiftly walk through the streets. She ignores everyone around her as she pushes on, searching for the her companion. It wasn't until something familiar had caught her eye that put a halt on her progress. She looks over at the takoyaki stand set up a few feet away from where she stood and in the next moment, she runs towards it. Any evidence of doom and gloom that once plagued her disperses when she starts to place her order.

"Ah! What kinds do you have? Do you have any Ponzu or Goma-dare Taokoyaki? What about Vinegared Dashi?" The moment the vendor hands her the food, Rei grabs them and doesn't hesitate to start chowing down. "Mmm! Delicious!" She continues to eat until she hears a voice speak from behind her. "Eek!" She jumps back and her takoyaki fly off the plate, but manage to fall back inside perfectly.

"Z-Zen!" Rei quickly embraces him while hanging on to the takoyaki in her hand. "You found me! I'm so glad... It's scary here, but I was able to find a takoyaki stand! Do you think there's other food around here?"

[platinumcoin]

(( hello friends! before i go and eat all the food in the school, i'm gonna make a quick intro post-- ))

(( yooo the name's ruri and its nice to meet you all!! i've been here at aod several times and honestly, this is the first time in a while where im gonna be writing protagonists, so please bear with me if my writing's somewhat off

if you ever wish to talk to me, feel free to follow my twitter, since i'm on there the majority of the time! hmu if you ever wanna plot some threads or just cry over persona with me ))

[ziryca-deactivated20230825]

Persona Q Characters: Rei-chan!