Book Haven - Friday, 7/18

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir had been laying low.

He'd have to try and find his employers at the Cafe Fina, or leave a note or something, but they wouldn't have wanted him in that day, not after the culinary disaster he'd regretted eating the night before. Then there'd been yesterday and he hadn't been about to risk another fiasco like what'd happened the last time he'd gone out on a day when the island seemed determined to make people sing. As it was, he'd been unable to stop humming one song all the whole day.

But those were other days. Today, blissfully, nothing seemed to be happening. Today, he was here, at work, behind the counter after a soothing bit of cleaning and straightening.

[ocdless]

Comments

[intraspective]

And a little sister?

Little sisters were a precious commodity, you know. And, sometimes, they had a Plan.

Okay, so this plan consisted of her wandering in and then over for a hug, but still.

That was totally a plan, shut up.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir would say it was a plan of stunning brilliance and exceeding cunning. He also kissed the top of her head.

"Well, hello."

[intraspective]

"Hiii," she said, grinning up at him. "I thought you could use some company."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I could definitely use the company. Makejoy isn't much of a conversationalist, I'm afraid."

[intraspective]

"I'd hope not," she said, "at least, not if the island wasn't doing it. 'Cause she's just a normal dog, really."

Because, really, even in her world most dogs didn't talk.

"How've you been?" Ino continued. "Anything turn human on you this weekend?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He shook his head.

"Nothing, actually. I heard the broadcast and kept looking at the broom, but I think all the attention made it shy or something."

[intraspective]

"Awww," she laughed. "A shy broom! That's cute. Did you hear? I got two and they were a total pain."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I did hear, though there was a bit of a crackle when it came to what they were. Plants or weapons?"

Total guess.

[intraspective]

"One was a plant," she said, holding up a finger. "And the other you'd never in a million years guess."

Which would be why she'd grin expectantly at him and see if he'd try.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He considered that for a moment.

"A scroll?"

It was the only thing he could think of.

[intraspective]

"Nope," she said, debating keeping him in suspense for a while longer.

A beat.

"A hair ribbon."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He raised an eyebrow at that.

"Hmmm. And what was she like? I assume it was a she?"

[intraspective]

"Definitely a she," Ino assured him. "And, uh."

"...bitchy," she said, "and loud and bossy and demanding and furious."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir winced. And shot down the first three things that could have come out of his mouth.

"What'd she look like, if you don't mind me asking? It's just an odd idea."

[intraspective]

It was probably good that he didn't say the first few things, really.

"Really red hair--like, actually bright red, not that orange--lots of black, black glasses, black uh, you know those shoes where they give you a few inches of height all around? Not, like, just in the heel, but the toes too. Black gloves..."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

Liir did know Ino.

"Was it a black ribbon then? I've never seen you with black, I don't think."

[intraspective]

"I don't wear black much," she said, giving him a bit of a shrug at that. "And, no, it was a red one."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"That's why I was a little nonplussed," he admitted with a quick shake of his head.

"Maybe a red ribbon is just fiery by nature?" he mused.

[intraspective]

"Nah," she said, making a face at him. "Pretty sure it's more 'cause both me and Sakura owned it, really, and uh--"

Well.

Ino shrugged a bit sheepishly at him.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He judiciously said nothing.

"So other than hosting plants and ribbons over the weekend, how have you been? Anything exciting?"

[intraspective]

"I'm getting a shelf!" she said brightly. Yes, this was news. "That's naturally purple! And Cable-san talked to me on Wednesday, and Romeo called me yesterday and we talked for hours..."

She tapped her fingers idly.

"And I had a talk with Hurley, and I think that's about it?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"A shelf?"

...to be fair, Liir thought this was perfectly interesting.

"What's the shelf for? And how is it to be naturally purple?"

[intraspective]

"It's more of a trellis-shelf thing," she confided. "And it's for flowers in my room. And the wood it's going to be made out of is called purpleheart and it's--well, you know, very purple. So pretty."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"You're having a shelf made..." which he considered seriously for a moment before--

"Someone around here does wood work? If they are, it might be nice to have a spice rack made or something."

He shook that off.

"I really do have to meet Cable-san one time. What was the talk about, if you don't mind asking?"

[intraspective]

She grinned at him. "Uh huh," Ino said, "it's a new store called Morgan's Hardware--the owner is super friendly. I'm sure he'd totally be able to do a spice rack."

A beat.

"And you do--I think he's working Saturday's now, though don't swear by that, I just know he's not got Thursdays right now. And--it was 'bout Ribbon, mostly."

And had been weirdly small-talky.

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Saturday. Well, we do have one of those coming up," he mused thoughtfully.

He'd probably go to the hardware store sometime next week in that handwavey kind of way.

"Any plans for the weekend?"

[intraspective]

"Work," she said with a bit of a shrug. "It's--a bit boring these days, but still has to be done."

It was mostly boring because Ichigo wasn't there to bother her anymore.

"And Fight Club, maybe, if I feel like it--why? You busy?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

He shook his head before eyeing her in something like amusement.

"Never, of course. But I was wondering if you might like to do something. A picnic, a bit of gardening, a flight..."

[intraspective]

She grinned at him.

"I wouldn't mind doing something at all," Ino said, considering his listed choices. "Hmm."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"I'll cater but you choose," he said immediately.

[intraspective]

She wrinkled her nose at him cheerfully.

"Picnic by the garden?" Ino suggested. "So we can do both!"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Sunday?" he asked with a lift of his head.

"And anything you'd like in the basket, so to speak?"

[intraspective]

"Can't hardly be Saturday," she teased him. "Sunday for sure. And--something with chocolate, please?"

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Definitely."

He slipped a hand behind his back before presenting her a moment later with a distinctly chocolate-scented orange.

"And this'll tide you over for the moment?"

[intraspective]

She grinned at him. "You know it would."

[new-to-liirness.livejournal.com]

"Then you'd best take it before you go," he said, grinning right back.

[intraspective]

"Are you kicking me out?" she teased, nonetheless making a grab for the orange.

[wantstodirect]

[Hee, Sorcerer's Apprentice is totally my theme music for Tony.]