D12 EE - When Aaruul coming back (Itsuka's apartment, expecting)

[Utaku Itsuka]

Itsuka's apartment was the same as before. A mix of 'practical minimalism', rustic wooden furniture, and 'exotic Unicorn world' details here and there, framed maps of Shiawase Island and other parts of the Tango Province hanging on walls, a stylised map of the Imperial Worlds, a few more detailed maps showing the location of Asteroid fields in different parts of the Empire, and some detailed maps of a few of them.

The house of someone who liked going places - in the past... but probably also now.

Balcony, large living, a corridor leading to bedrooms - probably at least three from the looks of it. The harbourfront right ahead from the balcony window, Azuma Beach a suggestion in the distance.

It was all the same as before... but, somehow, it seemed more cheerful today. Maybe it was the lighting. Maybe the photographs on frames in the living room which seemed like they'd been cared for very recently. The living room table was tidy, another table in the kitchen had ingredients strewn across it.

Itsuka was not inside yet, though. She was waiting for the elevator, holding a bag. More ingredients, maybe?

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Suh-Hyun paused at the door, she hadn't actually been here before and was a little nervous about just barging in. With a sigh she reaches up and right as her knuckle strikes the door in a knock, her eyes are drawn down the hall toward the elevator. The elevator that had just dinged and opened to reveal her kin.

"Oh...um hello Itsuka-san," She smiled and let her hand drop, embarrassed at having arrived first, "I um was worried I was on the wrong floor. This is your apartment right?" The Unicorn pointed at the door she was standing in front of.

[Utaku Itsuka]

Suh-Hyun paused at the door, she hadn't actually been here before and was a little nervous about just barging in. With a sigh she reaches up and right as her knuckle strikes the door in a knock, her eyes are drawn down the hall toward the elevator. The elevator that had just dinged and opened to reveal her kin.

"Oh...um hello Itsuka-san," She smiled and let her hand drop, embarrassed at having arrived×8> first, "I um was worried I was on the wrong floor. This is your apartment right?" The Unicorn pointed at the door she was standing in front of.

"Oh, hi, Shinjo-san!", she answers with a wave as she walks towards the door, followed by a bow and soon by an extended hand when she reaches her. "I've taken longer than expected doing groceries, my apologies! But I'm happy you're here! Come, let's get in", she adds, swiping a key card, opening the door open and extending a hand for Suh-Hyun to step in first.

"I should have got enough for a good batch - and I've found some jungle berries and other local fruits so we can try our luck with them".

Her voice sounds cheerful, sunny even. Suh-Hyun will have seen some change happening over their last meetings, probably, but this seemed like an ever bigger change. The small embers in her eyes seem fully aflame now, as if the Bon festival had somehow rekindled them.

"That was quite the work with the lanterns yesterday, wasn't ir?", she says warmly, going to the kitchen to place some things on the fridge and grab others for their work.

"...Do you know when you'll be going already, Shinjo-san?", she adds, not quite looking at her yet.

[Shinjo Suh-Hyun]

Snip

"Well I brought mom's recipe" Suh-Hyun pulled up a slip of paper, "Wrote it down, incase we have to destroy it for secrecy!" She chuckled at that.

Sliding into the apartment, she gave it a quick look over, "Do you need any help with that?" Her eyes landed on the groceries. "I could have picked up some on my way here." Suh-Hyun smiled, pleased to hear the change in her friend's voice. She wasn't going to push anything though, no point in possibly reopening wounds to satisfy curiosity. "Yeah, though easier thanks to the programmer. I don't like drone flying if I'm honest, you don't really feel it like in a fighter."

The Shinjo took a breath and let it out slowly, "...tomorrow. My recall orders came in yesterday. The engineers think they have everything figured out and have the new prototype up to speed. Barely will have time to say hi to the parents before I am off to base."