[[Angel: {{JUST AS PLANNED}} Angel and Miles go buy some decorations for the partayyy~]]
Angel: *Angel is standing outside of a brightly decorated store in a button-down burgundy-colored jacket and jeans. She has her cell phone out is scrolling through the listings for a number. It's chilly out and there's wind blowing, and every now and then she reaches up to push her hair out of her eyes. She hits 'call' and lifts the phone to her ear, cupping the other one to keep the wind away.*
Miles: *Edgeworth rounds the corner, it seems like a big sale at a store next door is causing the lot to be filled, so he had to park alongside the building and walk around. Suddenly, his phone starts ringing. He lifts the phone curiously to his face to check to see who it is. Then he looks up to the entrance of the store, seeing Angel there, phone held to her head. He answers.* Miles Edgeworth. *He says, being sure to be loud enough for her to hear in person.*
Angel: Ah, hello, I'm-- *Angel stops when she looks up and sees him standing right in front of her. She looks momentarily startled, and then she snorts and makes a face, shutting her phone. She's laughing a bit as she walks up to him.* I suppose I don't have to bother now. *She smiles, leaning forward a little.* How are you?
Miles: Fine. Not entirely sure what we're here for, but fine. *He smiles.*
Angel: Oh, you know what we're here for. Party decorations. I can't believe you didn't buy any. *She frowns, and then casts a look up at the store. The large red sign says 'Pretty Party Palace'.*
Miles: Yes, but this place... *He groans quietly.* It's not exactly my type of store.
Angel: You're judging it by its name. It's really got a variety of things- and, you know, you did enlist my help. I won't let you go without decorating the place a little.
Miles: *He sighs.* Well, if I must decorate, I'm glad I have you to help me.
Angel: You're turning seven. It's a lucky number. We've got to make it special! *She winks, and then brushes her hair out of her eyes again as the wind picks up.*
Miles: Let's go inside.
Miles: *He fiddles momentarily with his own hair, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. In one smooth motion, he reaches out and grabs her hand.*
Miles: *He coughs slightly.* Your hands look cold.
Angel: *Angel, about to say something, stops when he takes her hand, blinking at him for a moment before her face lights up. She turns her head to the side a little and laughs softly, though not at him.* Cold hands? Yes, well... I-I suppose so. *She smiles, weaving her fingers together with his and tugging him towards the door.*
Miles: *His lips twitch a little as he struggles not to blush. They walk in, and he gazes around, bewildered, at a giant display of tiki lamps and hawaiian grass skirts made of plastic. Under his breath,* This is hardly the season...
Angel: It wouldn't work, anyway. Unless you wanted to? *Angel studies the tropical-looking display.* They've got shotglasses shaped like surfboards! I should be taking notes for Lunchland...
Miles: Of course not. It's not the theme at all.
Angel: I know. Only teasing. I don't know if I want to see you in a grass skirt, anyway!
Miles: Let's not picture it. *He rubs his temple with his free hand.* Your teasing will be the death of me. *He says, but he's smiling.*
Angel: *Angel presses a finger to her lips.* I think you like it. *She smiles, and they wander past the Hawaiian-style decorations to a section filled with pinatas.*
Angel: Oh! Look at that. They've got one shaped like the Steel Samurai. *Angel leans towards a rather large one decorated in colorful paper.* These are silly.
Miles: *Edgeworth looks entirely too attentive.* I've never seen that one before... *He says just above a whisper.*
Angel: *Angel pushes on it a little with her free hand. It swings a bit from side to side, as it's attached to the ceiling by a string.* Well, it's certainly heavy. *She looks thoughtful.* ...Wouldn't it be funny if you did have one, though?
Angel: I think that at the right time in the evening- this meaning when everybody's had a drink or two- it would just be so funny to see everybody scrambling for candy like Lunchland-hungry children!~
Miles: Yes... *He sounds reluctant.* But it wouldn't fit with the theme at all.
Angel: *Angel frowns.* He's got a mask on...
Miles: That he does... *He looks conflicted.* W-wouldn't candy upset drunken stomachs, though?
Angel: No, of course not! *Angel scoffs.* Well, I do suppose it depends on the person.
Miles: Hm. Well, you've convinced me, then.
Angel: *Angel brightens.* Good! Otherwise this poor little guy would just go to some child who would totally destroy him...
Miles: *Edgeworth looks a bit shaken.* That's true.
Angel: Are you alright? *Angel tilts her head at him.*
Miles: Of course. *He snaps.* Just wondering how one purchases one of these things.
Angel: *Angel frowns.* No need to sound so harsh.
Miles: *He squeezes her hand.* Sorry. I'm feeling a tad out of my element.
Angel: *Smiles faintly, and then reaches out for the pinata, unhooking it from the bottom of the string that is holding it to the ceiling. She catches it in her arm, adjusting it awkwardly.* ...I hope I don't drop it.
Miles: *He lets go of her hand momentarily,* I'll go get a cart to put it in. *He strides off to get one.*
Angel: *Angel watches him go, and then holds out the Steel Samurai pinata at arms' length, staring at it. She talks to it.* Well, you'd better not disappoint.
Miles: *He returns with the cart, gesturing for her to put the pinata inside.*
Angel: *She drops it in. It bangs against the cart, making a clanging noise.*
Miles: *He winces slightly, more at the sound, he tells himself, than the fact that official Steel Samurai memorabilia was being tossed around. Such things helped him sleep at night.* So, what next...? We probably should get candy.
Angel: Yes. What kind do you think? *She glances down the aisle.*
Miles: I'm not sure I like the idea of just getting an assortment... *He gazes contemplatively at the various kinds of candy.* But I've never been very much for sweets, personally. Any ideas?
Angel: Hm. *Angel looks contemplative.* Why not an assortment?
Miles: *He gestures at a large bag of assorted candies.* Oh, they tend to have things like chalky tablet candies and bubble gum in them. Things that even children don't eat.
Angel: *Angel frowns.* I can think of a few people who would. ...Mr. Meekins, for one.
Miles: *Edgeworth cocks an eyebrow.* I wouldn't put it past him. Well, perhaps I'll get an assortment then. *He grabs a bag of candies and puts it in the cart, grabbing an assortment of chocolate candy as well.* Shall we try to find some wall decorations now?
Angel: Yes! Let's find something bright. Maybe gold or silver? I think those colors would look lovely with a masquerade theme. Let's go to the next aisle? *She looks to him expectantly, holding her hand out to him.*
Miles: *He blinks, trying to figure out the logistics of holding her hand and pushing the cart at the same time. He takes her hand, a bit dubiously.*
Angel: *Angel seems to note the exact same thing, but she already has a solution. Without any sign of warning for Edgeworth, she rears back a little and kicks the shopping cart straight on the handle, sending it skidding down to the end of the aisle some twenty to thirty feet away. It stops just before hitting the opposite wall.*
Angel: *Brightly.* We can just meet it at the end of the aisle now.
Miles: *He almost jumps at the abruptness of her action, and swallows convulsively* A... very economical plan... *He manages. His hand has begun to sweat.*
Angel: Oh, don't worry. I wouldn't let it smash into anything. They're not going to arrest me for kicking a shopping cart around. You should see me when I meet a fence. *She smirks a bit.*
Miles: I'm not worried at all. *He says, forcing a smile.* I know what I'm in for with you.
Angel: Think so? *She runs her fingers over the top of his hand, a distantly mischevious look on her face.*
Miles: *He feels a tingling on the side of his face closest to her, and his face flushes hot.* I... I'm reasonably sure. *He says, considerably less confident, but smirking just the same.*
Precisely. :D
Angel: *Angel casts him a look.* Reasonably sure? *She laughs.* Well, I'll believe you. *She looks amused.*
Miles: *He walks with her through the aisle.* Gold and silver do sound like they would fit.
Angel: Let's see... *They meet the cart, and Angel gives it a nudge with her foot to send it moving slowly sideways. She glances down the next aisle. It has birthday party decorations intended for little girls and boys.* Look! A balloon shaped like a hot dog. Maybe I ought to be giving out balloons with orders.
Miles: *Pointedly* If you spend too much money on extras, you'll have trouble paying your rent.
Angel: *She frowns.* I already do have trouble there. But I'd be charging it to the company.
Miles: You do...? *He looks unsettled. But he presses on.* Well, I suppose that's one way to do it. *He inspects a roll of crepe paper in gold.*
Angel: *Angel sets the balloon down.* It's a silly idea anyway. *She looks over to him and adds* ...And crepe paper is tacky.
Miles: *He makes a regretful moue.* Well, if you wanted to expand a little, I'm sure children would love balloons. *He glances back at the crepe paper, attempting not to say 'what here isn't?'* I see. What would be the best for adding some color to my place, then?
Angel: *She wanders down the next aisle, tugging him along with her. There is a paper lantern display set up. Most of the lanterns are rounded and Asian-looking, but there are some off to the side in star shapes too.* Wouldn't that be pretty...? *She points to one in gold foil.* It looks like a big wrapped chocolate.
Miles: *His brows knit.* That would be... I do like that. It would match the burgundy tablecloths I have fairly well, too.
Angel: You should get a bunch. They're not so expensive... *She says this a little regretfully, as they'd be expensive for her to buy.*
Miles: All right. I guess we'll have to get tacks to hang them with as well. *He disengages his hand from hers and takes down an armful of stars and puts them in the cart, throwing a couple of boxes of tacks in with them.* Do I have a stepladder... *He mutters, taking her hand again.*
Angel: Alright, then... Let's see. We're going to avoid streamers and crepe paper... *She puts a finger to her chin.* Let's try the next aisle.
Miles: All right. *Gently, he kicks the cart over to the next aisle.*
Angel: You could give it more force than that! *She pulls him to the next aisle and they meet the cart again. She looks up.* Mardi Gras decorations!
Angel: What do you think? All kinds of masks here... How silly.
Miles: That would fit with the theme, of course. *He smiles.* Besides, I'd meant to have masks there for people who may have forgotten to wear costumes with masks.
Angel: No, I mean look at this... *She picks up a mask with a tacky sequin design of butterflies and holds it up to her face.* Tackier than sticky rice. *She smiles.* Oh, but these would work. *She sets down the butterfly mask and picks up a feathered one accented in silver.*
Miles: *He smiles* I think that one suits you.
Angel: You think? *She holds the second mask up to her face.* Oh, but it doesn't match my costume.
Miles: Hm, well, I'll get a few of these masks to put up. Otherwise, my walls will be almost completely bare.
Angel: *Angel reaches out for some in red and gold.* Get a bunch of them!~
Miles: *He picks a few more and throws them in the cart.* That should be enough.
Angel: *Angel watches him for a few moments, looking as though she is thinking something over.* ...
Miles: *he glances over at her.* Hm?
Angel: I delivered lunch to Mr. Wright's office the other day. *She looks up at him with a smile.* Well, it's Kristoph Gavin's office. You would know.
Miles: Yes... I know.
Angel: He's very handsome. And so smart... *She muses.* But, anyway. Mr. Wright had an idea!
Miles: *His hand tightens around hers suddenly, and his lips curl into a frown.* Did he...?
Angel: *She looks into his face, reaching out her hand and tapping him on the end of his nose with her finger.* Why so down? It's a fun idea.
Angel: He proposed... That we all ought to go out together sometime. Oh, I mean with Mr. Wright and his girlfriend.
Angel: *She looks away momentarily, the corner of her mouth twitching a bit.*
Miles: *He raises an eyebrow, his face now somewhat indignant.* He suggested something like that...?
Miles: *He sighs.* That sounds like him.
Angel: It does, doesn't it? *Angel smirks. She tries not to look him straight in the eyes so she won't burst out laughing.*
Miles: Well, Iris is a pleasant young woman. I'm sure the two of you would get along. *He shrugs and then looks pointedly at her.* You- Did you... agree...?
Angel: Well, of course I did. I hope that's alright by you... *She looks at him from underneath her bangs.*
Miles: *He sighs* No, of course, it's fine. I suspect he asked you on purpose, knowing I'd never agree.
Angel: *Her expression falters for the briefest moment. Her brows knit together. Her voice is a bit haughty.* I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Miles: *He smiles, glancing down at her.* I suspect you won't allow me not to.
Angel: *She brightens.* You're right. I won't.
Miles: *He looks to the cart.* This seems like enough to me. Unless you have more suggestions...
Angel: No, I think this is good. Best not to overdo it. It's like with lunchboxes. It's all about the presentation!
Miles: Less is more, so they say.
Angel: *Angel nods.* Subtlety is best.
Miles: Well, I should be able to set up most of these myself before tomorrow, but perhaps you can help me with the stepladder for the stars. I... *He trails off.*
Angel: *She looks at him curiously.* Of course I will. I'm coming over early, after all.
Miles: You do realize this means you can't win the contest... *He says with a smirk.*
Angel: I'm not looking to win. Everybody would know it's me, anyway. Trust me. *She smirks back.*
Miles: Hmm. Well, now I'm curious.
Angel: *She looks devious.* You'll see.
Miles: *He gestures to the cart.* Perhaps instead of kicking it this time, we could push it in tandem... More civilized, I think.
Angel: *She looks at him silently for a few long moments, and then back at the cart. A slow smile spreads across her lips, and then in the next second she kicks it just as hard as last time. It goes sailing down the aisle and stops at the end before hitting anything once more.*
Miles: *He jumps this time, his heart beating quickly. He lets go of her hand and raises his own to his temple.* O-or you could just kick it again. *He sounds exasperated and a little shaken.*
Angel: *Angel laughs openly, leaning over to stare at him.* You look like you're going to have a heart attack. And you said you were reasonably sure!
Miles: *He brushes off the shoulder of his suit and rearranges his jacket.* I've been known to be a tad overconfident from time to time. *drily*
Angel: Am I not civilized now? *She purses her lips at him, her eyes sparkling.*
Miles: *He chuckles nervously.* I wonder.
Angel: *Angel stands up as tall as she can- she's not wearing high heels today- and manages to give him a teasing little kiss on the cheek. She pulls away and starts leading him down the aisle before he can properly react.* You don't have to answer that question.~
Miles: *He allows himself to be pulled along, looking a tad dazed.* Thank you for the reprieve. *He manages to mutter.*
Angel: *The shopping cart has landed near one of the front cash registers, and the girl working there gives them a strange look. Angel seems unfazed.*
Miles: *Edgeworth approaches the counter and starts unloading his items, silently.*
Angel: *Angel stands off to the side with her arms crossed, distracted by an array of candy. She picks up a chocolate bar and frowns at it.*
Miles: *He glances at her, sticking the umpteenth star on the counter as the still skeptical cashier rings them up.* Are you hungry?
Angel: Oh, um, no. *She tosses it back.*
Miles: *He raises an eyebrow* Are you sure? It's getting awfully close to dinnertime.
Angel: I don't have any change on me. *She waves a hand.*
Miles: *He grabs two and faux irritably says* Well, I want one and I can hardly eat in front of you.
Angel: *She tilts her chin up at him.* I-If you say so.
Miles: *He smiles and puts it on the counter with the last of the masks.* My apologies for ignoring you, miss, what was the total?
Shopgirl: Your total comes to 345.68
Angel: *Angel winces a bit.* My, that's a bit pricey.
Miles: *Edgeworth shrugs, unfazed.* My birthday comes but once every four years.
Miles: If that's not a time to splurge, what is?
Shopgirl: Oh, is your birthday on Leap Day?
Miles: Yes. *He smirks.* I'll be turning 7. Which is why, I guess, I allowed myself to be talked in to this pinata.
Angel: Isn't he cute? *Angel picks up the Steel Samurai pinata.* Oh, and the pinata is, too. *She winks.*
Miles: What do you m-Oh. *He blushes.*
Miles: Yes... all right. *He hands the smirking shop girl his check card.*
Angel: *Angel cradles the pinata in her arms, smiling.*
Miles: *He signs the slip she gives him and starts putting the bags of decorations in the cart.*
Angel: *Angel puts the Steel Samurai pinata in after everything else is loaded.*
Miles: *He pushes the cart towards the door and smiles faintly.* Well, now I have to go home and start setting up.
Angel: Oh, alright. I should head home, too...
Miles: Oh, I almost forgot. *He takes out the two chocolate bars and unwraps one, handing the other to her.*
Angel: *She takes it with a smile.* What time would you like me to show up tomorrow?
Miles: Well, let's see. The party itself starts at seven, and I expect Marshall should be arriving at 6:30. I want to have everything more or less prepared by then, so how about five? We could have a small meal and then spend the rest of the late afternoon hanging stars together.
Angel: Hanging stars. *She smiles, playing with her earring.* It sounds so whimsical! Alright, then, five o'clock.
Miles: *He looks almost taken off guard, but not convincingly so.* Oh, I hadn't thought about that. But I suppose it does sound somewhat whimsical.
Angel: Doesn't it? Hanging stars... *She looks delighted.*
Miles: *He smiles.* I'm glad you think so. *He says, taking her hand and brushing his thumb over it.* That might make up for the fact that it's liable to actually be quite tedious and fiddly.
Angel: We'll have fun! *She clasps his hand, and gives the shopping cart a push out of the front doors with her free one instead of kicking it this time.*
Miles: *He raises an eyebrow as the automatic doors obligingly open for the drifting cart.* I can't imagine you won't force me to. *He mutters.*
Angel: Do you really need forcing? *She pouts a little, though not in seriousness.*
Miles: Not while you're around. *He says matter-of-factly.*
Angel: *She breaks out in a smile and doesn't say anything more. It's still windy outside as she looks for her car keys.*
Miles: *He seems a bit smug as he lets go of her hand.* I'll see you tomorrow then.
Angel: *She finds them and hits the automatic unlock before looking up to him.* Tomorrow! I look forward to it.
Miles: Me too.
Angel: *Angel looks at him, and then clicks her tongue.* Okay. See you.
Miles: *He frowns, reaching out and grabbing her wrist as she turns.*
Miles: *Silently, he brings her hand up to his face and brushes his lips over the top of her hand.*
Angel: *She catches and turns back towards him, giving a start. She looks at a loss for words when he kisses her hand, trying to say something through her smile.* That's just.. That's very... You're. Well. *She plays with the ends of her hair.*
Miles: *A blush high on his cheekbones, he nods and smiles stiffly at her and takes the cart back to his car.*
Angel: *Angel waves after him, grinning to herself. She then heads off to her own car, staring thoughtfully down at the chocolate bar.*