[RL with Edward Elric] Getting to Know You

[truthinfortune]

Naoto decided it was high time she showed her newest guest around the town. The estate may be spacious, but being stuck inside for the better part of a week would make anyone go stir crazy. Besides, she promised she'd introduce him to the local cuisine. There was never a shortage of steak in Inaba

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[truthinfortune]

It wasn't long before they reached the north side of the shopping district. It was much emptier than the south side. Many storefronts were boarded up and shuttered, probably closed up for quite sometime.

"A lot of the local stores closed down once the big supermarket opened up on the west side of town. Junes sells a far wider range of stock at lower prices, so most of the small shops just couldn't compete." She pointed across the street toward a small restaurant. The smell of beef and fried grease wafted outside. "That's the Chinese Diner, Aiya's. They're famous for the Bottomless Beef Bowl. As far as I know, no one's ever been able to finish it. And next door is Souzai Daigaku. That's the cafe we'll be eating at. The lady who owns it makes a delicious steak skewer. People usually go there to pick up a bento box for lunch or to grab a quick bite to eat."

Naoto took Edward's hand and looked both ways, making sure the street was clear before crossing. There was a simple table and two chairs situated just outside the vendor. Naoto began to scan the menu. Aside from the steak skewers, there were various fast foods, like rice cakes and mochi.

The lady at the counter smiled at them both. "Hello there. What can I make for you two?"

[cyberelric]

"We don't have any big stores like that." Edward said, looking interested. He blinked when she took his hand but decided he didn't mind. He didn't want to get lost, after all.

Edward looked at the menu, shifting a little. "I'm really hungry."

[truthinfortune]

"We can eat at Aiya's afterward, if you want. Maybe you could be the first person to finish the Bottomless Beef Bowl." There was a hint of mischief in Naoto's blue eyes when she said that.

"Ah... We'll have four steak skewers and two TaP sodas, please."

"Coming right up, Shirogane-san." The lady disappeared behind the counter to prepare their order.

Naoto took a seat in one of the chairs. "It'll be ready in a few minutes. Why don't you have a seat?"

[cyberelric]

Edward nodded and sat down across from her. He looked around the shop in wonder. "This place is pretty amazing...it's really different from home. Quiet...people seem happy. Huh."

[truthinfortune]

"It is," Naoto said softly. "People might find this sort of lifestyle boring, but it's a welcome respite from casework. It wasn't always so quiet around here, though..." Her expression turned solemn. "Last year was rather tumultuous, what with the kidnappings and murders. But we put an end to all that, and Inaba has returned to its peaceful self once again. Hardly anyone talks about the incident anymore. Old news, I suppose."

The vendor called out. "Ah, the food must be ready," Naoto said, "Be right back."

She retrieved the food and handed two of the steak skewers to Ed. Sitting back down, Naoto placed one of the soda cans in front of the boy.

"Careful, it's very hot!" Naoto blew a few breaths on the sizzling meat before taking a bite. "Mmm! It's really good!"

[cyberelric]

He frowned a little at the topic before she left but didn't comment. That was too bad, this place seemed to recover well though, in that case. He took the skewers and grinned a little.

"Looks good." Edward said and after blowing on it a little, he took a huge bite. It was delicious! He glanced at the table in a bit of a predicament as he chewed. He looked like he was deep in thought. Finally he moved his hand skewers and all to the napkin dispenser and used his pinky to try and wrestle one out.

[truthinfortune]

Naoto leaned forward and tugged the napkin out just enough so that Ed could pull it free.

"Sorry. Thought you could use a little help there. Want me to pop the tab on your soda?"

She didn't want to treat the boy like an invalid, but she also knew how frustrating it could be when you only had the use of one arm, especially when it was your dominant arm that was out of commission.

[cyberelric]

"Thanks." Ed murmured and pulled the napkin to him and set the skewers down carefully. Naturally, that meant he should wipe his hands on his pants.

The soda can caught his attention and he leaned forward to look at it quizzically. "How does it work?"

[truthinfortune]

"It's a simple vacuum seal. You release it by pulling the tab and depressing it into the opening like this." She demonstrated. There was a hiss and a pop. She pushed the can toward him. "It keeps the carbonation from dispersing and making the soda go flat."

Naoto popped the tab on her on drink and took a sip. Hopefully Edward wouldn't become too overwhelmed from the many modern conveniences of her time.

"Let's see... What else is around here?" Naoto looked over her shoulder and noticed the red torii gates that marked the entrance to the shrine. "That's Tatsuhime Shine. People go there to pray and write their wishes on ema tablets in the hopes that they'll be granted. There's a fox that lives there. She's a bit secretive, but we befriended her and she helped us a lot last year. And further up the street is Tatsumi Textiles." She pointed a few shops north of the shrine. "They sell traditional chirmin and kimono fabrics. Kanji Tatsumi and his mother live there. He's, um... the reason I'm spoken for."

Naoto felt her cheeks flush a bit. Geez, what was wrong with her? It was pretty much old news that she and Kanji were dating. So why was she feeling flustered now?

[cyberelric]

"Hmmmm..." Edward said, interested. He took a sip. It was good, he didn't drink a lot of pop, more juice since juice was portable. He didn't look terribly overwhelmed but that could change.

"A fox at a shrine? Erm...is that normal?" Ed asked, looking curious. He had little interest in the shrine itself although it looked nice enough from there.

"You mentioned him at the party." Ed smiled. "That's good though."

[truthinfortune]

"Erm... Not really, no." Naoto scratched the back of her head nervously. "Especially not one that can apparently understand human speech and the concept of money. Senpai had to perform a lot of good deeds in order to get people to make offerings at the shrine. The money went toward its restoration. That's why the fox charged so much for its services."

The petite detective frowned a bit. So much allowance money spent on those healing herbs. Everyone had had to pitch in, even with the forty percent discount...

"I did, yes..." She smiled. "It's one reason I'm thankful that I have a flat here in Inaba. I can be a lot closer to him. As long as I'm attending school, its more convenient for me to live here than at the estate. But I'm glad for the vacation! It's good to return home for a while, especially now that I have so many guests to look after."

[cyberelric]

"Oh...we aren't keeping you are we?" Edward asked, frowning a little. "Sometimes I don't think before I inconvenience people. Kind of a problem I guess." He finished off the first steak skewer and started on the second one, clearly hungry enough for it.

[truthinfortune]

"No! Not at all!" Naoto shook her head quickly. "It's been a long time since we've entertained guests. Ever since my parents passed away, the estate has become so quiet. Lonely."

Her gaze fell upon the table and she nibbled at her skewer. She had hardly even started on the first one. Difficult to talk and eat at the same time, apparently.

"I remember how the estate use to bustle with activity. There was always some party or soiree. My parents made many connections through their detective work and often invited their friends and acquaintances to come visit. But when they died... we lost touch with them. I devoted all my energies to studying the detective trade, so there wasn't much point wasting time with such frivolities."

She raised her head, a small smile playing at her lips.

"But things are different now. I feel like the estate is slowly coming to life again. And in time, I want to make my debut in the public eye once again and forge many connections, just as my parents did." The petite detective paused, looking thoughtful. "Well, I suppose I already have, even if the majority of those connections are from other worlds."

[cyberelric]

His eyes softened as he listened quietly. Her words were a little sad, but he understood them. "I guess if it's what you want, then you should help bring it back to life. It's...hard for things to change like that but you know, if you try..."

"I'm sorry you lost your parents though."

[truthinfortune]

"Thank you. They died working on an important case. It's a risk all detectives must face. We willingly put our lives on the line in order to pursue dangerous criminals before they can claim more victims. Grampa was lucky enough to make it to retirement."

She fell silent and ate her food. It went without saying that Naoto herself might not make it to retirement... But she liked to think she would. After all, she'd been blessed with the power of Persona--a power that could protect herself and others. And she had many people who were looking out for her well-being...

"I'm well acquainted with change. My destiny is intimately entwined with Fortune. Since coming to Inaba and meeting Senpai, I've gone through many changes." Her gaze flickered toward Edward, a wry smile curling her lips. "Would you believe that I masqueraded as a boy for the better part of seven years?"

He may or may not have heard about it from Mello. If not, it would certainly serve to explain Naoto's lack of a bust line. She still bound her breasts in public, mostly out of force of habit, and because it was the only way she could fit comfortably in any of her shirts.

[cyberelric]

Yes it truly did. Edward was also quiet for a moment, considering that fact. His mind easily went there, it was clearly a dangerous job, much like his own. Edward sipped the soda looking thoughtful about it. He didn't want to say anything either.

He blinked in surprise whne she admitted that and tilted his head a little. "Why would you do that?" He was genuinely curious. It wasn't like girls couldn't do what boys could, and better at that, so why want to be a boy?

He hadn't heard much about Naoto from Mello, but he certainly hadn't noticed. Ed didn't pay attention to things like people's busts, especially someone who was considered family.