Secret Santa Shopping

[awaiting_spring]

Who: Hatori, Himawari
What: Shopping, exchanging ideas
Where: Salkia mall
When: Sunday afternoon
Warnings: Mild awkwardness?

Comments

[badlucklady]

Hearing his story on Akito and how he doesn't see people, how he's sick and such, she frowned, nodding. She could understand some of that really. When she was younger she tended to stay inside more often then not, especially after the fire that took place to the house next door. That was her fault somehow... and well, she tried to stay in more to safe guard others. Staying inside and not meeting people... she could understand. Funny how their cases were completely different though.

As her tea came, she silently thanked the waiter and checked it, taking a small sip and hearing what the man was saying. "It must be really hard for him being here and away from home. He's really lucky to have you here with him."

And to the list of ideas he gave, she got some ideas for gifts. Maybe something will help cheer him up a little? Maybe. Oh but!-- "I remember that story. My father told it to me a few times... if it's the one I think that is. A Banquet with God so he wouldn't be alone, right? Hmmm I wonder if I could find something to do with that... So Akito is into Chinese Astrology, or just that story?"

[awaiting_spring]

"The story, it's something that many of the members of the Sohma family are fairly close to. In fact every year we have a similar banquet to celebrate the new year within the inner household." That was something that Hatori was not looking forward to without having the entire zodiac present. "But yes according to the legend, God was lonely so he decided to host a banquet to which he invited all the animals. In total twelve animals attended, as the rat tricked the cat into believing that the banquet was another night."

[badlucklady]

She kind of... leaned there, hearing him talk about the story. Something about it reminded her of her father. the story might be a bit different but the characters were always the same. "I always felt bad for the cat..." She said softly, musing over the silly little story with a true soft smile.

"A banquet though. That should be fun-- oh! It wouldn't be too long from now, would it? Will those of you who are here still try to do it?" Well, that was sad that a family tradition might not get done, but it was interesting that they put such a spin on the story. To hold a banquet like that. What an interesting way to ring in the new year.

[awaiting_spring]

"Really? It seems that there are more people who sympathize with the cat than there used to be. Most say that it was the cat's fault for being foolish enough to be tricked by the rat." Hatori wondered how Kyo would react to finding out that there was another person who felt bad for the cat. It had taken long enough to get used to the idea of one person let alone more.

"It is still a little ways off, I believe that the chinese new year falls in early February this next year." Traditionally it would have been a year that Hatsuharu and Kisa would have danced as it was going from the year of the ox to the tiger. "But there will likely still be a celebration for those of us who are here, I doubt that Akito would let it go by unmarked." After all it was God who hosted the banquet and required the animals to attend.

[badlucklady]

She blushed a bit, chuckling as she found it all really silly. "Yes, well... I also felt a bit bad for the rat too. After all... he was left out of the banquet to begin with. If the cat had gone, he would have been sitting outside and alone too. The story is full of negatives really. It would have been better if it was just... open to all the animals, but obviously we cant get folk lore that way, can we. Still... it's an interesting story."

It was a little ways off, but still... nearly around the corner. "Halloween wasn't that long ago either but it's been a month or so. Time just... flies here. The new year will be on you before you know it. Hopefully your Akito will have plenty of time to plan for something though." She took a sip of her tea and pondered for a moment. "I wonder if i could find a old book on the story. Do you think he'd enjoy that. I'm... really bad with gift ideas for others sometimes..."

[awaiting_spring]

Hatori took another sip of his coffee, "There are numerous versions of it that have been adapted over the years. But in all of them the cat is exiled and the rat is the first to be included having ridden on the oxes head." Hatori knew three different versions himself that had been told several times at the new year banquet. "That is true, I'm sure that preperations will be underway soon. The main question is where it will be hosted with how frequently the housing seems to change."

"I believe that I saw one in the bookstore when I first arrived, I didn't get a chance to look at it closely but there was one which contained several eastern myths and legends." Hatori knew that Akito wouldn't be likely to accept anything from the girl, but there was no reason for Hatori to ruin it for her and if nothing else he could add it to his own library. "Are you? It seems to me like you are doing fine."

[badlucklady]

As he explained that there were numerous versions, she nodded, agreeing “but in all of them there were thirteen animals and only twelve of them invited. In the end someone would have been left out no matter what happened. I think that’s the part I fine a bit sad.” But… then she chuckled, as if feeling childish about this kind of children’s myth talk. “But it’s just stories to explain things. As a kid… I used to get so worked up over the small details like that in stories.”

His mentioning on the housing changes and where to host it thought got her attention. “Oh! It might be a bit too big for what you’re looking for… but not too far from here is a meeting hall. The Halloween party was held there I believe. Maybe they have other smaller chambers for a family party? Ichijou’s friend held a huge fancy party there once as well. If it gets down to the point that you need a bigger place for it, that might be an idea?”

Taking a sip of her tea again she shook her head “For friends I know… I can figure out something pretty well… but strangers? I feel awkward. But… I’ll just have to do my best.” She smiled, looking up at him then gave a small nod. “And the ideas from you help a lot too…”

[awaiting_spring]

If she only knew, with the Sohma family there was in paticular that was still obsessed with it and how it wasn't fair. He wondered how she would react to Kyo if she were to ever meet the cat. But that was something that would have to be dealt with at a later time. Listening to her comment about the community center he recalled walking by it once or twice, "I will have to check into that, though in the past it has always been an intimate setting but that work well especially if more of them arrive before then."

"Thank you. Though speaking of friends, you said that you are close with Doumeki Shizuka."