During the Halloween weekend, there was this popup shop in the downtown area: one based on supernatural and mythical beings, in which the merchandise, outfits, and food sold inside were based off of. Naturally, Mariko just had to bring Dusk here with her! She knows how much he likes reading about these kinds of things, so she thought this shop will be something he definitely enjoys.
"Look at all the different stuff here... ! Kitsune shirts, tanuki keychains, bakeneko charms... " Mariko was eagerly staring at it all. Yep, she can just tell she was going to be buying quite a lot of stuff. In fact, she was already putting some items in her basket, like the afro-mentioned bakeneko charm, along with a shirt with a design of a Byakko on it. "I think they also have a small section for books as well, if you're curious... Maybe we'll both find a book we like and can discuss it together." She smiles. A late night reading session between a black cat and a scarecrow later down the line, if not tomorrow... Another fun way they can enjoy Halloween together!
"! Oh, look at that food booth over there! Those look good... " She points to the food stand not too far away from where they're standing. It was selling a variety of street foods and snacks like dango, steamed buns, bread rolls, onigiri, etc. Even the foods were "Want something from there? Might get the kitsune bread roll... I'll get you whatever you want." (HAPPY HALLOWEEEEN!!! 🎃 🐈⬛ 🌙)
It was mostly apparent to anyone who would know Dusk that he didn't tend to step out of his safe haven called the library. He, of all people, didn't often seek the comfort of others over the company of books that entertained the far reaches of his mind. Yet-! The moment that Mariko had offered to take him along with her, his resilience had begun to wane and, with a final soft sigh, had promised to go along with her for the sake of ensuring that there would be no unpleasant surprise awaiting for either of them.
Despite Dusk's anti-social behavior, somehow some way he had gotten to know Mariko at a function his family had hosted. He also did not want to be there, and yet somehow he left with someone who shared a mutual understanding with him.
A friend. The idea seemed so far and distant for him, but despite the underlaying issue of his older brother's attempts to sabotage the bond with underhanded methods (somehow learning of their friendship through a string of connections), Dusk felt obligated. He took her invitation willingly, and now he stands here with her while peering around at the unique looking pop-up shop dressed as a scarecrow, of all things.
In his defense, it was the easiest outfit he could create in the spur of the moment, but he was thankful that it only took a mere hour to throw together. Mariko's own was pretty simple too (a notable black cat paired with ears and a tail) that seemed to match the theme. Needless to say, the quiet scarecrow-dressed Dusk seemed content with just looking alongside her.
"Hmm-?" Dusks' attention had flickered over to her when she pointed out other notable pieces of merchandise that had caught her eye. His attention trailing from the shirts, charms, keychains and more-! Wow… for a temporary shop, they seemed to go completely out this year with the new and latest trends! Hearing Mariko's eagerness earned her a small arc of his brow, then the smallest of smils appearing on his face in the moment when she gestured at the books.
He quickly skims as she places more things into her basket, answering her with a small.
"It's to no surprise that you like a lot of these little trinkets, they're fitting for you. As for the books, you know what they say about having only one book, right?"
As if he were being influenced by Mariko's willingness to pluck a few more things into her bucket, Dusk's own hand had come up and grasped two books. One that was titled 'Edgar Allen Poe' while another was titled 'H.P. Lovecraft'. These two titles are very familiar to Dusk, but he wonders if there was anything meaningful he could glean with Mariko while the night's haunting hour nears. He isn't the type to get scared easily, and he never intends to scare her either, but curiosity certainly would pull at him as he holds both books in his hands.
"I picked out a couple here that I think we can find something of interest. They're smaller stories by each author, so if one is too scary for you we can skip to another story altogether." He says with another small smile, almost to hint that if she did get scared that he would never judge her for it. Her weakness is safe with him, after all, as his was with her judgement.
"Oh--" He turns his head to glance over at where she was pointing at. Perfect, they both wouldn't have to go far in order to get something to eat before their late night reading session! How convenient, and thankfully since everything is so close they wouldn't have to go too far either.
"A kitsune roll, hm? That does sound good, now that you mentioned them- picking only one thing out feels like we'll miss trying anything else out, so..." He scratches his chin, then looks at her oh so willing to swoop in to get what he wanted. A gesture that, honestly... he never really had an experience in receiving before. With how much Dusk willingly pulled himself away and shut himself into the walls upon walls of books, he didn't think of how much he would've missed out feeling this way.
Having a friend, he's learning, is becoming a delight for him. He couldn't help but pull his own hand up over his mouth, appearing to think on it but already knowing the answer when he pulls the two books in between them both for her to look at.
"How about this. I'll buy the books and i'll pay half of my portion of the food and we'll find a spot to eat once you're able to collect everything. I'll go ahead and buy the books and we can save them for tonight." His suggestion is quiet but enough to hold in earnest. A fair trade between them, a symbol of their developing friendship, he would like to think.
When Mariko's back had turned once he had given her half of the payment, Dusk turns to move forward and purchase the books he had in his hands.
Before he did so, however... he decided to buy some bookmarks for the both of them. The designs were clearly fun-filled, but Dusk couldn't help but huff while smiling under his breath.
She'll most likely find these to have a bit of a charm to them, he thinks!