i'm not doing anything important at the moment, so it's fine.
[Well, that is to say, he was practicing with his new abilities, but that can be done basically anywhere. Coffee shops included.
And no, he's not one for conversations, but that's typically because they're mostly small talk. When it comes to more important things like memories that are hard to deal with and their emotional impact, Ren takes them seriously.
... plus he's much more eloquent and personable over text than he is in real life.]
somewhere near the university? [He assumes she's a student there.]
[Ren is a sad individual who lives under a proverbial rock, has not heard of cat cafes, and is also a failure at looking into things ahead of time. He just assumes it's got cat-related decor or something silly, and he's not going there for the surroundings.
[ Poor Ren has no idea what's about to happen to him.
It really isn't far from campus so Orihime arrives first. She figures that finding a table will be the most polite thing to do so he won't have to wait at the entrance for long. She ends up picking one a little out of the way, given the nature of their discussion, and just waits patiently as she looks out the window.
Well, her and a cat. Who also happens to be sitting in the window looking out. ]
[It's about the promised fifteen minutes before Ren arrives, and he spots the orange-haired girl as he walks by the window, his gaze briefly going to the cat before he moves towards the door—
But then he stops short and looks at the cat. Then at the cafe behind Orihime, where there are more cats. Then he leans back and glances towards the sign, and drops his gaze towards the door with a dull stare.
He has no one to blame but himself. That doesn't mean he's not going to try to blame cat cafes as a concept, for existing.
Ren rubs his forehead briefly before heading to the door in earnest and fully dooming himself to an existence filled with multiple cats for the next however long. It's fine. Animals don't tend to like him. Maybe if he's lucky they'll just leave him alone. (Yeah right.)
At least he doesn't have to spend time awkwardly looking for her.]
[ The struggle is very real for Ren. Orihime doesn't seem to mind the surroundings, though. She'd spend more time here if she thought she could afford it!
At the sound of his voice, Orihime looks over and offers a smile. ]
Hello!
[ And she'll stand up because it's the polite thing to do. ]
Is this seat alright? We can move, if you'd like?
[ The cat sitting in the window turns to look at him as well. And just stares in that unnerving cat fashion. ]
[Given the girl's apparently altruistic nature, that's no real surprise. She probably loves cats. She probably loves everything. He's not even sure that would be a big exaggeration.
He looks over his shoulder to see if he can read the menu, but just for a few seconds.]
I'll get something in a bit. You can go ahead, if you're thirsty.
Being haunted by a former self's family isn't something I'd want to discuss over a text.
[That has to be at least ten times worse than a text breakup. Not... that he's got a lot of experience with that. But aside from that—people are far easier to read when they're right in front of you.]
[That kind of connection... there would be a lot of uncomfortable implications she'd have to confront. Ren himself is dreading any memories regarding his past self's family.]
It's easier knowing the past will remain where it is, rather than being some kind of omen for the future.
It's more that we're remembering entirely different settings that don't make sense with each other. I've heard of memories of fighting monsters with swords and ones of AI-controlled tanks.
[He shakes his head at the nonsensical sound of it all, especially:]
My own "memories" have involved spaceships and guns that shoot lasers instead of bullets, among other things.
[Ren hadn't thought of that comparison before, but... it seems apt.]
It does sound like that, doesn't it. [He doesn't know if he likes the implications behind the sentiment, but thankfully Orihime distracts him with another topic.]
I haven't seen anything to suggest my past self wasn't human, but I do doubt he was from Earth.
no subject
[Well, that is to say, he was practicing with his new abilities, but that can be done basically anywhere. Coffee shops included.
And no, he's not one for conversations, but that's typically because they're mostly small talk. When it comes to more important things like memories that are hard to deal with and their emotional impact, Ren takes them seriously.
... plus he's much more eloquent and personable over text than he is in real life.]
somewhere near the university? [He assumes she's a student there.]
no subject
The Catmosphere Cafe isn't very far. But I don't mind traveling outside of Apprassage!
[ Which is exactly where Ren would want to go, right? ]
no subject
This will go great, like all his not-plans.]
that's fine. i can be there in 15.
no subject
[ Poor Ren has no idea what's about to happen to him.
It really isn't far from campus so Orihime arrives first. She figures that finding a table will be the most polite thing to do so he won't have to wait at the entrance for long. She ends up picking one a little out of the way, given the nature of their discussion, and just waits patiently as she looks out the window.
Well, her and a cat. Who also happens to be sitting in the window looking out. ]
-> action!
But then he stops short and looks at the cat. Then at the cafe behind Orihime, where there are more cats. Then he leans back and glances towards the sign, and drops his gaze towards the door with a dull stare.
He has no one to blame but himself. That doesn't mean he's not going to try to blame cat cafes as a concept, for existing.
Ren rubs his forehead briefly before heading to the door in earnest and fully dooming himself to an existence filled with multiple cats for the next however long. It's fine. Animals don't tend to like him. Maybe if he's lucky they'll just leave him alone. (Yeah right.)
At least he doesn't have to spend time awkwardly looking for her.]
Orihime.
no subject
At the sound of his voice, Orihime looks over and offers a smile. ]
Hello!
[ And she'll stand up because it's the polite thing to do. ]
Is this seat alright? We can move, if you'd like?
[ The cat sitting in the window turns to look at him as well. And just stares in that unnerving cat fashion. ]
no subject
It's fine.
[He just has to keep telling himself that. He'll at least follow through with the sentiment and sit down, though.]
no subject
They actually have a really nice selection of drinks and treats! Their vanilla mocha latte is one of my favorites.
no subject
[Given the girl's apparently altruistic nature, that's no real surprise. She probably loves cats. She probably loves everything. He's not even sure that would be a big exaggeration.
He looks over his shoulder to see if he can read the menu, but just for a few seconds.]
I'll get something in a bit. You can go ahead, if you're thirsty.
no subject
Mhm! It's a nice place to go if you want a break from studying.
[ He's really not far off. She'll even be gross as she reaches over to pet the head of the cat in the window. ]
Okay, if you don't mind.
[ Catching a nearby server's attention, she orders the vanilla mocha latte, as expected. Once they leave, ]
...Thank you, again--for meeting me here. You really didn't have to.
no subject
[That has to be at least ten times worse than a text breakup. Not... that he's got a lot of experience with that. But aside from that—people are far easier to read when they're right in front of you.]
Do you have any siblings?
no subject
[ She drops her gaze at that, laughing lightly, though it's clearly awkward. ]
When you put it that way it does sound...
[ Orihime just lets it trail off, looking back up from the table. ]
Mhm. I have an older brother and sister. It wasn't him that I saw, though. I'll admit that I was kind of relieved by that.
no subject
[That kind of connection... there would be a lot of uncomfortable implications she'd have to confront. Ren himself is dreading any memories regarding his past self's family.]
It's easier knowing the past will remain where it is, rather than being some kind of omen for the future.
no subject
...Is that what this is? The past?
no subject
[And that's always up for debate. Ren sits back, folding his arms.]
None of it makes any sense, given the conflicting things we've all remembered, but it's one of the few possibilities.
no subject
[ She's only had the one memory, so she's not sure she can be much of an authority on anything. ]
I guess I don't have any reason not to believe them. Are people remembering the same things differently?
no subject
[He shakes his head at the nonsensical sound of it all, especially:]
My own "memories" have involved spaceships and guns that shoot lasers instead of bullets, among other things.
no subject
[ She thinks about it for a moment. ]
It's like everyone is watching a different genre of movie, except that movie is supposed to be our life.
[ That's...interesting, really, but also concerning. ]
...You're from space! Like, you're actually an alien!
no subject
It does sound like that, doesn't it. [He doesn't know if he likes the implications behind the sentiment, but thankfully Orihime distracts him with another topic.]
I haven't seen anything to suggest my past self wasn't human, but I do doubt he was from Earth.