shroudedinsecrecy | INBOX (IC)

[ Really it started with birthday gift shopping for a bunch of people, but he's finding that having time and money here means he's spending more time going out of his way to have more stuff. There are other reasons that contribute, of course, but it's partly why he's gone shopping for himself today as well. (It's also because he spilled coffee down himself and ruined his t-shirt, but Iris doesn't need to know that!!)

When he sees her walking down the street in the opposite direction he doesn't hesitate to wave at her, calling out at the same time. ]

Iris! [ Well, at least he has a name to use now. ] I wasn't expecting to see you out and about here. [ At the shopping district? Maybe. He's loaded up with a few bags, but it could be worse. ]

[At the sound of her name, Iris turned. Surprised, at first--she hadn't planned on encountering anyone while she was out shopping--which soon melted into a warm smile. Once she realized who it was.]

Hello, Merlin. [Yes, this whole knowing his name thing was much easier. Highly recommended.] I suppose I could say the same.

[She glanced down at his few bags, compared to the single paper one hanging off her arm.]

I was just out looking for a new dress.

[ Well the smile is definitely better than the look of surprise, but he can't say he blames her. There's a lot of people out for an early afternoon. ]

A new dress? What kind? [ Well, past "smart", "casual" or "date friendly" he doesn't really know much about dresses, but if he can help he will. When he notices her gaze though he laughs. ]

Not all of these are for me. It turns out June is a busy birthday month.

Something a little...lighter in fabric. It's been much warmer here lately than the weather I'm used to back home.

[Which betrayed little about the style or intended purpose, but told a little more about Iris herself.]

Ah--is it your birthday this month? [Her first reaction, before...no, wait...] Or...are those presents?

Now that you said it, it hasn't really rained or anything has it? I'm used to weather a lot more miserable than this.

[ England... and all. Well England/Wales whichever! ]

These are presents though, you're right. Not for my birthday.

[She stopped to think about that for a moment. A finger rising to her chin as she glanced upward.]

Mmm...no. I don't think so. Unless it did at all while we were sleeping.

[And even then, there were no signs of rainfall the next morning that she had seen. Strange. The lack of snow was understandable, but he was right: no rain, either.]

How lovely.

There really have been a lot of birthdays recently. The last three months alone, I believe, there must have been at least three or four of us from the same world all celebrating.

[Including both herself and Phoenix.]

Who are your presents for?

[ Considering he's slept on the rooftop a bunch of times... ]

I don't think it has. Which is strange, isn't it? Don't jungle terrains tend to have a downpour of rain usually? [ Then again, they aren't actually in the jungle... there's just a bunch of it on Tellus. ]

From the same world, too?

These are from Ai, Hiro and Charlie. I'll probably make Rapunzel's but there's a few things I need to do that in here.

[Iris, on the other hand, had no recent reasons to sleep on a roof. Though she did recall a few off-hand comments regarding waterfall meditation substitutes, the best options were still cold showers.]

That's right. They weren't on the same day, I believe, but I remember Mr. Gavin, Feenie, and Mr. Edgeworth all celebrated theirs back in the beginning of April. Mine was late last month, and...oh, dear, I'm sure there was one more, but I can't remember.

[Ema.]

I didn't even think to make any presents for them, though. What a sweet idea.

[ Well avoiding Shigeru's robot was the main reason this time, at least...

Though he looks a little thoughtful for a moment, especially as she lists those names off. It reminds him that he needs to talk to her about the whole "Feenie" situation but there's something more alarming first. ]

I missed yours?!

[Cue a hand waving in the air sheepishly.]

O-oh, no! I mean...yes, I suppose...but it's alright! I don't mind.

In truth...I had almost missed it myself. Feenie was the one who remembered, and had to remind me what day it was. [Though, in her defense, it wasn't that she'd forgotten what day her birthday was; she simply hadn't been keeping track of the local calendar.] We were on a picnic together, and even then I didn't think anything of the day.

Well at least he remembers important dates like that. [ Unlike Arthur smh ] And that's pretty romantic, isn't it? [ Sorry, Iris, but his mouth is twitching up now, unable to stop smiling. ]

But no, really... is there anything you want? We can go now. Or I can treat you to lunch?

[That's pretty romantic, isn't it?]

[She blushed, of course, but...couldn't help feeling a small twinge of irony, given a particular conversation she'd had with Athena not that long ago. It's not about romance. Because, for her, it wasn't. It was nice, yes, but...that wasn't all she looked for in a relationship.]

Ah...s-sure. We can. I mean-- [Focus on the lunch instead. Admittedly, she was hungry after her busy day.] You don't have to treat me. But we can go somewhere...if you're not too busy.

There is this lovely place that makes sandwiches with freshly baked bread. It's not far from here.

[ Of course she did, one day they'll both stop doing stuff like this. For now though, let's concentrate on how things can have more than one meaning at a time. Honestly, he was courting Athena before he was officially courting her with the effort he'd put in, but at the same time it wasn't much different than what he'd do with other friends. ]

No, it's on me. [ He gives her a smile. ] It won't be that much anyway, as long as you're happy with where it is.

[ Freshly baked bread definitely sounds nice at least! ]

A...alright. If you insist.

[She wouldn't protest such a generous offer too much. But she would be sure to repay his kindness at a later meal.]

This way. Come on.

[A subtle turn of her head indicated the pathway they needed to take, and she slowly began walking.]

I insist. [ Though it doesn't work as a birthday present of sorts if she pays him back?! Iris, no. ]

Coming. [ He makes sure to take note of the route she takes, easily keeping in step with her, even with all the bags he has. ]

Do you go to this place often, then?

[She would offer to take them from him if she wasn't certain he'd protest the offer. Compared to some of the physically demanding chores she was accustomed to, a few cumbersome bags were nothing.]

Not...often. I usually prepare most of my meals myself.

But if I'm out for the day and lose track of time, then I inevitably find myself here.

I've... been banned from a lot of the electrical appliances now so. [ You know...... ] I probably eat out more than I should.

It's a nice change to what I grew up with, too.

[Granted, Iris' experiences eating out were limited. Mostly little cafes and sandwich shops that served healthy dishes, albeit at a higher price than if she'd bought the raw ingredients and prepared them herself at home.]

[But she also thought back to a previous conversation with another boy. One who seemed...less than pleased with the quality of food such a habit offered him.]

I'd be happy to prepare some healthier meals for you, if you're that in need. it would be no trouble at all.

[ He looks at like she's crazy then though, because alas, Iris... he is still under 20 and classified as a teenager even if it's late teens. ]

Why would I want them to be healthier?

[And, here, it was her turn to give him a strange look. Because really, Merlin?]

Because...it's better for you? More nutrients and other things to help you build up strength and energy.

[ Yes, really Merlin. ]

I still have fruit and stuff, it's not as though everything I eat is bad. [ But moooooom!!! ] Really it's just nice to not be stuck starving or eating rat honestly.

[ r a t ]

[. . .]

Alright. If you insist.

[She certainly couldn't force him to accept a home cooked meal any more than she could apparently convince him otherwise regarding his own diet. Besides that--]

Ah, this is it. That little shop up ahead.

[It was a quaint building with even quainter decor. A small awning covered the entrance and a little bell ran each time someone opened the door. Inside were only a handful of small tables, but most were vacant.]

Well I'm not turning it down either, but it... wouldn't be the only thing I'd eat? A mix of everything is better right?

[ Though he does make a beeline for the small cafe now, pushing all his bags into one hand so the other can reach for her hand to lead her along until they make it to the door. Once inside, he looks around in awe for a moment, before smiling towards her. ]

Do you have a favourite seat?

[As a matter of fact...]

I've been enjoying sitting by the window. The light from outside is always so much nicer than the ones inside.

[Even up at the temple, with the occasional artificial lighting, priorities were always given to either natural sunlight or else fire as a source.]

Really? That sounds perfect. That one, then? [ He points with his hand that's full of bags, almost knocking over a chair but it's fine. It's fine. ]

It looks really peaceful. Do you people watch or just look at the sky?

action; post... iris' and phoenix's posts combined!

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