✩ 060.5

[howls_at_stars]

[Because he forgot in his memo post...]

[Private to Isane-san via Hellmoth]
Crap, I almost forgot again. We still on for dinner? How's Itegumo?

[Private to Rangiku-san via Hellmoth]
I should be free this weekend. Come on, let's go have a drink for old times' sake. I'll buy without complaint this time, scout's honor.

Comments

[Private to Renji]

[butforonemoment]

Well~ you can buy some. Not much of a birthday gift if I'm making you pay for everything.

[Private to Rangiku-san]

[howls_at_stars]

[*a laugh*] We could go Dutch; I don't think we've done that since shortly after I made Sixth Seat at Eleventh!

As you like it. Everybody's had a pretty rough week, from what I hear; birthdays come every year, but sometimes you just need to go have a drink with a friend. Lemme know if ya have a free evening. It's been way too long.

[Private to Renji]

[butforonemoment]

[Coyness in her voice.] Eh, it's not like I paid for my drinks that night either...

I'm free either night this weekend. Depends how many days you want to recuperate for before going back to work.

[Private to Rangiku-san]

[howls_at_stars]

Touché.

Wanna go for Saturday night, then? That way we're still good even if I suddenly get swamped with work tomorrow. Which has been known to happen. Because my whole division seems to think that "by noon" means "sometime before the captain goes home Friday night".

[ Hellmoth to Abarai ]

[shot69]

[ There is a lot in that message Shuuhei could respond to, but the first thing that comes out of his mouth after the long pause is... ]

She's had a rough week? Good job.

[ Another pause, clearly not too pleased with himself, but recovers in a more typical 'talking on a professional level' tone. ]

...I don't see why that would be a problem. It's tradition, after all.

[ Hellmoth to Hisagi]

[howls_at_stars]

W-well yeah, kinda. I mean, Haineko ran off an' then it was Ichimaru's birthday. Not exactly a good week, you know? Even if she didn't say nothin' about it. So...I said we'd go have drinks and I'd buy, 'cuz no girl deserves a week like that.

Just wanted to make sure. I know they say it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, but...I didn't think that was necessarily true in this case. This kinda stuff's special.

[ Hellmoth to Abarai ]

[shot69]

Ichimaru's birthday?

[ Have yet another long pause, the an aggravated sigh. He doesn't say anything further on the subject, though. ]

No...it's fine. It's good that someone's there for her.

[ Hellmoth to Hisagi]

[howls_at_stars]

[*cue Renji feeling like a jerk somehow*]

Er...yeah. Heh, I'm kinda cursed--can't forget a birthday. Not even Aizen or Ichimaru's. M-mostly 'cuz Hinamori an' Kira used to celebrate 'em, so... [*awkward throat-clearing goes here*]

L-look, if you'd rather I say somethin' came up and you can sweep in an' be there instead...

{Private to Renji}

[frozen_clouds]

Of course we're still on. Have you chosen a place to go? My treat, of course.

Itegumo's holding up as well as can be expected. I think he's sad that the others left, even though he doesn't really like to talk about that.

Zabimaru is all right as well, I trust? I know that Unohana-taichou had some difficulty in healing him, but I hope he's not in great discomfort? I could tend to him if you'd like... see if there's anything I can do to help?

[Private to Isane]

[howls_at_stars]

Erm, well there's a new place that opened up in Rukongai Third that looks like it might be pretty good. I spotted it on my way out to go training with Zabimaru--says they got some special Living World Recipes they claim you can't get anywhere else in Soul Society! [*a laugh*] Might be fun. They got some weird food in the living world.

Itegumo can hang out with Zabimaru while we're out if you want. I know they dunno each other all that well, but I think it's best we don't try an' bring 'em to dinner. Zabimaru's bein' a big baby, but I guess I taught him that, heh. He'll be fine; the leg seems to be mostly healed up. I think he's just milking it.

{Private to Renji}

[frozen_clouds]

Sounds interesting! I always enjoy trying new types of food, and everything I've had from the living world has been... a new experience, certainly, if not always a pleasant one. Is it in the Third South? I'm very familiar with that area. When is a good time for you?

I'm sure they'll get along just fine, if we're any indication. Itegumo is more outgoing than I am, anyway, and he loves making friends, so I'm sure they'll do fine together. Plus, the restaurant probably wouldn't appreciate Itegumo shedding all over their establishment, if he could even fit through the door.

[Private to Isane]

[howls_at_stars]

Ah, yeah, I think it is, actually. Can't recall for certain; I'll ask. I think Mikagami has the address, now I think on it.

Tonight or Sunday works for me. When are you free? You wanna bring Itegumo over here? Or shall I cart Zabimaru to Fourth? Either way's fine with us.