☀️ all the trees change in the fall

[mistsplitter]

WHO: Everyone who wishes to visit the tea house.
WHAT: Tea house opening!
WHEN: Forward-dated a couple of days, but early July!
WHERE: shinrin-yoku, Sunwaning
WARNINGS: Mystery hot pot………… (shudders)


[ It had been a couple of months ago, when Ayaka informed the network of her desire to open up a tea house. Many people showed interest, and as such, may receive either a written invitation (so formal) from her, informing them of the tea house's opening. Others may find the invitation via network from the white heron which we will conveniently handwave, announcing the opening of her tea house, shinrin-yoku in Sunwaning.

The invitation somehow asks guests to bring an ingredient for food– whatever it is they like!-- with no explanation whatsoever. Huh… wonder what that's about?

And to those who visit, they may find themselves in a little haven of zen for a while. ]

Welcome
🌸 shinrin-yoku seems like a simple tea house upon entering, with a large wooden sliding door that's already opened for guests to enter.

Ayaka will be the one to personally greet her guests, offering three possible areas for seating– the traditional Inazuman set up, the space for where you can let your legs down and not kneel while seated, or outside in the gardens. Of course, since it is a grand opening of the tea house, people aren't limited to their own tables! Familiar faces may be abound, and guests may like to walk around and see the interior, perhaps even say hello to the manager who is walking around and sniffing people here and there.

For future endeavours, Ayaka informs guests that they may use the shinrin-yoku for business gatherings and meetings. Members of the Welcoming Committee and Ayato's own committee are more than welcome to use the shinrin-yoku, and may even become a place for exchanging information and the like. The tea house promises to be a safe place to all.


A Simple Game of Snack
🌸 While guests may order food separately with any of the tea house's servers, there is a long table at the garden area offering all the items on the menu (except for the udon). It's free, and part of the ways Ayaka wishes to celebrate the opening of her tea house. There is a small card in front of the display of food, however, and it reads:

a cup of tea, warm
savoury, sweet wagashi
new names under trees

Strange? Random? What does that have to do with food? Well, it seems our little proprietress just loves it when people gather. She doesn't wish for the grand opening to just be a simple transaction, and she wishes for her tea house to be a venue where people can make friends, exchange stories, and feel safe.

It is why these snacks offered at the buffet table are laced with enchantments. The side effects are not harmful at all, and she only wishes for her guests to mingle, as well. As such, some may make people extra friendly, wanting to break the ice with a joke or a funny story. Some may end up bursting into song because of the snack they ate, while some may not be able to hold it in. They have to compliment another person before they can proceed with the rest of their conversation!

Ah, now the poem makes sense… as for the tea? Guests will have to order their own, as it is best served hot.


Mystery Hot Pot
🌸 Thanks to Ayaka's time spent in Nippon, she's become. . . excited and wants to continue this tradition she has when she hosts gatherings. If her guests have brought ingredients, there is a large pot of broth being boiled in the garden, with a card informing guests to put in the ingredients they brought! It also informs guests to try the hot pot, despite not knowing what others have put in it. [it is a mystery.png] Ayaka has started it off by adding matcha powder into the hot pot, giving the broth a bit of bitterness to it.

One of the things she enjoys whenever she has the pot boiling are people trying to figure out what the taste is, together. And anyone who manages to finish their bowl of mystery hot pot, regardless of how delicious or questionable it is? Will just have to show their bowl to Taroumaru in order to win a prize!

The prize is a box of Snow on the Hearth, a special kind of sakura mochi that only Ayaka is able to make. Be glad, for people of Inazuma would consider receiving a mochi like this a blessing! If one had the honor of enjoying such a treat while having tea with a princess as graceful and noble as a white heron, one would surely yearn to have that moment stretch into eternity.


Sunset in Sunwaning
🌸 Much like how beautiful the sunrise is, the sunset is beautiful and provides the tea house a nice and cosy ambiance. Guests needn't stay at the tea house the whole day– if they are done with their meal and tea, of course they are free to say their goodbyes! But the tea house is definitely open to all until the sun is down, should they wish to stay and spend the rest of their day here.

As the celebration begins to wind down, lanterns are lit in the gardens to keep it well-lit, yet still cosy.

Those who stay until nightfall may be treated to Sunwaning's local theatre group performing. Celebrating the tea house's opening, the theatre group volunteered to perform at the shinrin-yoku with a performance. It is very familiar to Ayaka and the Kamisatos, and no doubt those from Inazuma and Japan, but it may be a new cultural experience for those who have yet to witness such a dance.

---

((OOC: Ayaka's tea house is finally open! The prompts are set throughout the day, and are definitely open to anyone and everyone! Feel free to make your own top level and mingle~

The tea house serves the NSFW tea that was mentioned in the recent quests, but she also doesn't want anyone to engage in nsfw activities in her tea house. Anyone who orders those flavours of tea will be advised that there is an inn just down the street FDASGDSGH ))

Comments

[mistsplitter]

A 🌺 Playing Host
[ There are others around who can tend to customers-- she's employed the help of people familiar to her, as well as others she's only met in this world, after all. Yet, she doesn't want them to do all the work. ]

Greetings. [ Whether or not Ayaka has met her guest, she bows her head all the same. ] I hope it's not too warm here. Our location is on the autumn-side of Sunwaning, but I fear the heat may make others uncomfortable.

Are you comfortable?

[ She can use her wind magic to cool things up a bit, if it's too much! ]


B 🌺 Fortunes Told
[ It is such a romantic activity, to tell one's fortune from tea leaves, and it is a little hobby of hers that she's hidden from most people. Even in Nippon, she did not do this in the presence of others. Here, however, it does not seem like such a bad idea. After all, people are gathered here for tea and company. ]

Would you like to see what awaits you in the future?

[ Ayaka is seated on one of the traditional tables, some tea pots next to her. All loose tea, with choices of green, herbal, or black. She has a small smile on her face, not at all expecting someone to sit before her. If there are any takers out there, she'd be delighted to display her knowledge of tea leaf reading. ]


C 🌺 A Little Thinking Time
[ While her guests are caught mingling with one another, Ayaka takes some time to sit by the reception area, a notebook in hand. This should not be the time to be doing this sort of work, but she's bursting at the seams with ideas that she must simply write it down. Ringo, her little Eevee, now has red and white camellias on his head, and is walking around the area and seemingly "guarding" it while Ayaka is away jotting things down. ]

A festival for martial arts... though I may have to ask the mayor what events he may be hosting in the future. I would not want to trample on any plans. . .

[ She's talking to herself. But she's alerted when someone's nearby, so that she may get up and greet them. ]

My apologies. You weren't looking for me, were you?

[ She may have slipped away for too long! ]


D 🌺 Wildcard
[ If these don't work for you, then feel free to hit me up with your own prompt~ ]

B!

[niwabi]

[ Fortune telling with tea leaves is a new one for her but it sounds so romantic, Yoimiya is absolutely game. She can't remember the last time she's had her fortune told but since it's coming from Ayaka, it's way more fun and totally legit in her mind. ]

Have you been doing this for a while? I had no idea you were into tea leaf fortune telling but it's such a charming hobby that suits you perfectly.

[ Excitedly, she takes a seat across from the lovely tea house proprietress. ]

Yes, please!

[mistsplitter]

Would you believe that I have been doing this for years now?

[ It was a secret, after all. All this time, whenever Ayaka would have her tea ceremony lessons, she would sneak in and read her own fortune before putting everything away. It isn't very ladylike to do something like this, after all! But in this world and the freedom that's been gifted to her. . . she doesn't mind sharing it with others. ]

I've never tried it with others, however.

[ She gestures to the various loose teapots in front of her. ]

You may choose what you would like to drink. Sencha, perhaps? So it's more familiar to you?

[niwabi]

Really?! I'm so surprised to hear that but I'm ecstatic for you. That's so wonderful you got the chance to pursue your other hobbies.

[ Quite the shocking revelation but a very welcomed one. She's always known Ayaka to have a lot on her plate, so for her to have the time and freedom to enjoy her secret interests makes her beyond happy. ]

Sencha sounds lovely. Hehe, this is a first for me so forgive me for asking silly questions, but do I need to hold out my palm to you as well?

A

[no19]

[ A tea house visit... Keitaro can blearily remember when he'd gone with his mother and his uncle. When his sister was still small, and well before the war anyway. Coffee shops and diners had seemed to have replaced them all back in Sector 4. It's, thus, only a distant recollection. Yet, in this still so scarcely familiar world, something about it promises comfort.

The hot cup in his hands draws all that warmth up into his face and to the tips of his ears. Keitaro's gaze it fixed on the expansive selection of wagashi. He hasn't been able to decide which one to get. Maybe he should take two back to share with Natsuno... maybe it's that idea that has his cheeks so flushed. ]

Ah... Y-yes– [ He's an old fashioned guy, ok. ] I was just wondering what to try.

[mistsplitter]

[ Perfect! She can put her tea knowledge to the test. ]

Do you often drink tea, then?

[ She will start there. ]

[no19]

Sometimes. Not often at a tea house, though.

[ And Tamao-san would try to make ohagi with the sparse allowance of sugar. That was quite the treat! ]

We wouldn't usually have sweets... [ Well, it seems the selection almost overwhelms him now. ]

C

[wayofthehousekeeper]

[ A certain housekeeper is on shift today, of course he would be for a grand opening like this, which means he's around to catch a peak of her making notes. Ringo gets a smile and a crouch down for pets as he calls out to the lady, though hopefully not loud enough to draw attention from the guests or startle her. ]

Just wanted to see how you were enjoying the day, Ayaka.

[mistsplitter]

[ It is a big day! To think, she has her own business now. She's responsible for this entire place, as well as the people she works with. Not to say she doesn't feel a sense of responsibility towards all her friends and even strangers, but it feels more official.

It's nothing like a festival, but she feels happy, anyway. ]

I'm happy to see smiling faces, and people inquire about tea, and talk about their lives. [ Which is really what she was hoping for in the first place! ] I hope I can make this a safe space for everyone.

a

[leucosis]

[ The teahouse itself is lovely, and Albedo is glad to visit it. Plus, it's fairly convenient for him to get to given that he lives in Sunwanning at the moment. Albedo has spent some time looking around and taking things in on his own. He likes to do so on his own. He hasn't picked up any tea for himself yet, but it's on his list of things to do. ]

Quite comfortable. I live in Sunwanning currently.

[ So it's something he's used to. ]

I just wanted to give my compliments for this place. It's lovely. You did a very nice job.

[mistsplitter]

Ah, you do? [ She must make sure to visit Albedo some day, or at least send him some snacks to eat. ] We are neighbours, then.

[ Though he says "currently". Will he be relocating at some point? He must visit the estate one day, too! ]

And thank you. I'm very glad you could make the time for today's event, as well.

[ Ayaka bows her head slightly. ]

Have you ordered?

B

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean remembers Ayaka from fighting together in one of the monster portals. And he was there to help Ayato with the move, so he's familiar with her - even if not as familiar as he is with Ayato.

Bu fortunes, huh? Jean usually doesn't believe in such things, but he figured he might as well try something new every now and then.]

Sure. Why not.

[mistsplitter]

Please, have a seat.

[ She gestures to the round cushion on the other side of the table for him to sit down on. ]

Do you have a preference for tea?

[niwabi]

✰ warm welcome

[ Ever since Ayaka first made the announcement, Yoimiya has been beside herself with excitement for the grand opening of shinrin-yoku and she wasn't about to miss it for the world! For today's special occasion, she's dolled up in a more proper yukata than what she typically wears. She's awe struck when she steps into the tea house, marveling at little slice of paradise that is the shinrin-yoku. the Ayaka and the staff really outdid themselves, the entire establishment is beautiful.

After getting situated, she takes a seat in the traditional Inazuman area. Everything on the menu sounds absolutely divine and after some internal debating, she eventually settles on yuja tea with a custard dorayaki. Typically, she's a chatterbox but today, she's content to sip her tea and munch on her treat in peaceful silence, simply happy to admire the tea house and all its splendor. But she definitely won't say no to anyone who wishes to join her and will happily strike up a conversation with anyone, guests, or staff. Company is always welcome! ]

✰ the great ribbit race

[ At the garden area buffet, Yoimiya happily helps herself to a sakura mochi. As expected of Ayaka's specialty, it's so delightfully tasty! So much so that she's somehow even more giddy than usual and even more ecstatic to break the ice. At one of the tables, an army of origami jumping frogs are scattered across the surface, ready and waiting to hop all over the place. Ribbit. When did she have the time to fold all of these? Don't ask. Yoimiya is a strange creature of her own.

Should one come across this strange sight, it's too late for you, the firecracker blonde already has her sights set on her victim. ]

Hey! Wanna play a game with me?

[ She'll direct your attention to the paper frogs and a small box sitting on the table. ]

Let's see who can land the most paper frogs in the box!

✰ red hot mystery pot

A. Questionable Ingredient

[ From the corner of your eye, you might notice a snickering blonde lady looking like a mischievous child about to pull off a naughty prank. In her hands are red chili peppers that she is not-so-discreetly tossing into the hot pot. ]

Hehehehe...

[ ]

B. Taste testing

[ Once everyone has made their contributions and the hot pot is nice and simmering, Yoimiya excitedly scoops up a portion of the warm broth. She takes a bite and... oh boy, there's an intense amalgamation of various flavors swirling around in her mouth. It's hard to tell what's going on, what flavors her tastebuds have the fortune (?) or misfortune (?) of tasting. But one thing is for sure, she has a chili pepper in her mouth and it's hot. ]

Ah! I can definitely taste my ingredient. Whew, that's spicy. Oh dear... hopefully I didn't add too much. Hahaha, I think I taste some bitterness too. What kind of flavors are you picking up?

[ This is the consequences of your own actions, Yoimiya... ]

✰ wildcard

( If you'd like to plot out something else, feel free to message via journal or hit me up at konimi I'll be happy to write a custom starter for you once we hash things out! )

hot pot a

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean stares at what Yoimiya is doing with concern. He hasn't really figured what to contribute himself so he's mainly observed and seeing chili is... well, at least there was going to be seasoning.

In other words, you have been seen, Yoimiya!!]

... if my mouth burns later, now I know who to glare.

[niwabi]

[ Ohoho, looks like she found her first victim. I MEAN... FIRST NEW FRIEND???? Yeah, that's totally what she meant. Despite that she totally just got caught, she's all giggles. If her laughter sounds evil, it's just your imagination. ]

Hahaha, sorry if it does! You could say that I wanted to spice up the party.

[ Ba dum tss??? Okay that's lame, Yoimiya... ]

Hot Pot B (I wanted to do a wildcard but this will do perfectly!)

[littlesilhouettoofaman]

[Wanderer has been quite good at being present but not actually being there. He didn't really bother to talk to the others there and in a way, the only thing he is interested in is obtaining a cup of bitter tea and enjoy it in silence.

But alas, that silence is only a temporarily thing.

He cocks his head to the right before he takes a sip of his own cup.]

Hm? You added a spicy ingredient and you are unpleasantly surprised by its spiciness? [Wanderer shrugs and shakes his head afterwards] I am not going to touch that.

THIS IS GREAT

[niwabi]

[ Sorry Wanderer, silence is never an option when it comes to a certain crazy fireworks girl.

She sees him and her eyes light up. It's her pal! (yoimiya, you can't just call everyone pal...) On the opposite spectrum, she's ecstatic to see Wanderer enjoying (???) himself at the teahouse. More people visiting Ayaka's teahouse makes for a very happy Yoimiya. ]

Hahaha, oops! [ Ehe??? ] I couldn't help myself, I thought adding some spice would make for an exciting party. I take it your not much into spicy food?

[sultanofsquat]

☄️ Service With A Smile(?)

[ It wasn't to be expected of him. As a certain little White Heron knew, Cloud was more keen on...'physical' activities when it came to customer service. It came with the territory of having experience and repute as a mercenary. Even Tifa would be the first to tell it straight; he wasn't the best people person. And perhaps...if he were freshly plucked from his circumstances back home, this might have been a terrible idea. And yet, fitted up in a uniform as per shinrin-yoku's motif, here he was, serving drinks and snacks to patrons alike.

Surprisingly? Cloud didn't feel uncomfortable in the attire. Anyone that knew the time he spent in the last world of Nippon, however, may not be so surprised in contrast. So long as he balanced his time between his duties to customers and prepping/cleaning behind the scenes? It wasn't so bad. Made even easier when he had a reason- rather someone, to do this for. He can make an exception. He can at least try. If he's going to open a delivery business in the near future, he's going to need more experience. One collected breath in...and out, and he was curt! Curt yet to the point and respectful. Nobody had given him reason to be a smartass or bite, so of course Cloud was going to "be nice". ]

How we doing?

[ Was the conditioning of the teahouse to your liking? The snacks and drinks? Need a refill? While Cloud isn't smiling, his expression is at least relaxed. And his manners a step above "what do you want" adsjklhf ]

☄️ A Shocking Hotpot Ingredient

[ Cloud is keeping busy! But, that also means that his eyes can't be everywhere at once. Namely, no eyes on one particular little mouse who must have felt left out of the festivities, breaking out of his Poké Ball. Like a child sneaking out when they had a feeling they shouldn't be up without permission, the young Pikachu does its best to remain unseen at first, whilst trying to figure out where his owner has gone off to. ]

Piika...

[ Cloud... Cloud... Where did Cloud go? Why are there so many people around? Where was Ringo? Are they celebrating something special? ... Maybe he can help! He just has to find the right people. Barring that, since Pikachu didn't wish to draw too much attention to itself, take matters into his own hands! Try as he might, though...he still doesn't know much about Inazuman customs. Or if anyone would even pay attention or listen to him in the first place. Just as the mouse felt it might be wasting its time, and that maybe it should just go back to its ball until Cloud was ready to get him again— ]

??

[ Twitch. Twitch twitch. Sniff sniff. Up goes its bolt-shaped tail, as a rather peculiar aroma reaches the Pokémon's nose. Whatever it was...it smelled good to him! Ohhh he can't get distracted, but he can't help it! What was it?! Bounding down the hall and out towards the garden,

Pi, Pi, Pi, Pi, Pi, Pi, Pi, Pi...!

He sees guests talking around the source, the Hot Pot game! They have different kinds of ingredients too! Maybe he can put something in too— ah... No. He doesn't have anything to bring.

Not yet anyways. ]

⚡⚡⚡

[ No one can say that this Pikachu wasn't thoughtful. What with the way it comes marching back to the garden on its hind legs, carefully holding a big scoop of what appears to be red bean paste on the end of a spoon. It must have snuck it from the kitchen. But the pot is higher up! It's gonna have to jump and just plop the paste right in. ]

Pi... [ One. ] ka... [ Two. ] chu—! [ Three— ]

Pikachu?

[ The mouse bristles, little sparks trickling up its tail in shock (heh) before it has a chance to throw the beany spoonful in. Like getting your hand caught in the cookie jar... On one hand, he found his trainer! On the other hand...oh. He snuck out without his permission. Turning to look up at his owner with a guilty look on his face, his ears droop and his tail sags as he holds the spoon. ]

What're you doing out?

Pii-kaa...

[ Still looking up at Cloud and holding the spoon, that catches his attention, a hand on his hip as he approaches and doesn't hesitate to kneel down in front of his newfound little partner. At first, he wasn't sure what to make of this, but...in a way, it was like forming a bond with your own Summon? Not to mention, seeing Ayaka with her Eevee and how happy the creature was to be with her...he couldn't just look the other way from his. Especially when the Pikachu even started taking after Cloud in some manners in the short time they've been together. Pikachu looked up to him! In a way that...kind of reminded him of himself. And the way he would look up to someone else in his life.

To anybody around, Cloud doesn't really seem all that bothered to be kneeling down in front of an electric mouse holding a spoon of red bean paste. He's not working anymore; he's paying attention to Pikachu as he holds his hand out. ]

What's that?

[ Holding the end of the spoon out for him, Cloud pinches the end of the glob of fine paste, recognizing the texture and appearance before bringing it to his mouth to taste. Immediately, he recognizes it as the same kind of paste that Ayaka would have used when making her Sakura Mochi. It didn't take an expert to realize what was happening here. Or what the little Pokémon was trying to do to help. Cloud didn't have a chance to drop anything of his own into the Hot Pot himself. And seeing how uncertain his Pikachu was?

He looses a sigh, expression softening up a little bit as the shift in demeanor has Pikachu's ears perking up as well, curiously blinking. He's...not in trouble for sneaking out? Then... ]

Better choice than some things I've seen tossed in. [ A beat. ] Go for it.

[ That's all it took for the mouse's eyes to light up before finally crying out with elation. ]

Pikaa~!

[ Don't mind these two. Cloud's currently got a Pikachu on his shoulder so that it can safely shake the bean paste into the Hot Pot. ]

☄️ Wildcard

[ Let me know if you'd like a personal prompt for anything else! I'm open for everything including the snacks that open people up, sunset/performance watching, what have you! HMU here, Discord (clandon.), or Clandon! ]

Wildcard-ish

[startraveler]

[As Aether is helping around the tea house he spots Cloud and quickly makes his way towards him. They both ware the same uniforms, making them coworkers, so obviously the traveler would want to make friends. He smiles brightly at the man and gives a small wave.]

Hi there. I'm Aether, Ayaka's friend.

[The he blinks and takes a better look at the man. The slightly grumpy look on his face... could it be?]

Are you... Cloud?

[Ayaka talks a lot about him.]

eeeeeeeeeeeee

[sultanofsquat]

[ The fact that the Traveler was in this world was no secret to the acerbic swordsman. And though Cloud did well in keeping himself preoccupied with questlines while he amassed enough funds to start up a delivery business, he'd...be lying if he said that it was the only reason he was coming and going so much. It became apparent when he first arrived in this world, straight from another reality removed of his own. He really needed to count his blessings. That Zack, let alone Ayaka, even remembered him at all. Even remembered the time they spent in Nippon.

Everybody else? They...either forgot about him, or had seen him from a different space of time altogether. He wants to meet those who made an impact on his life again. He may not be the best 'people' person still, but that didn't mean Cloud didn't value the bonds he had, and made. The days of being some hardass mercenary were well and behind him. Even if...it meant, by his own fault, he was procrastinating far too often of late.

Luckily for him?

"Hi there." ]

!

[ Cloud had been about to return a tea tray set to the kitchen when that voice reaches out to him. How could he forget? He helped him before. Was responsible for ensuring he even had a chance to try and carry out one little wish in another world. A wish upon a star...and it was Aether who played a part in seeing it come true. The grumpy look on his face was gone, more shocked at first that this was suddenly happening. His chest grows tight, but he at least doesn't fumble or falter over his own words when asked of who he is. ]

I am. [ A beat, as he looses a gentle huff to try and calm his own nerves. ] Aether. Right?

[ His hold on the tray isn't so tight anymore either. ]

hotpot

[mistsplitter]

[ Ayaka's been watching him for some time now, not because he's her beau at this time, but because she wants to make sure that everyone in this tea house is doing well and enjoying themselves. And... yes, okay, because he's her beau and she can't take his eyes off him. That too.

It's only when it seems he and Pikachu have come to an agreement that she silently approaches them, merely making her presence known once she's by his side as his Pokemon is adding some red bean paste into the hotpot. ]

Will you try it?

[ Because she kind of wants to... ]

[sultanofsquat]

[ Ayaka's presence isn't a surprising one. And just as Pikachu successfully drops the red bean paste in with a harmless little 'plop!', it seems to puff up its chest proudly at what it just accomplished. Before Cloud can even answer her? ]

Pikapiika!

[ The mouse pats the side of his trainer's head confidently. That...was probably him saying something along the lines of "Yes he will!" Cloud blinks up at his little partner with a half smile, before sighing. ]

Think I'm feeling brave enough.

[ Yay!! That makes the mouse happy. It contributed to the festivities! But...he's not so sure if this concoction was safe for a Pokémon to try. So, now that the Pikachu feels accomplished, and because Cloud wants some private time with his girlfriend FJDSKHLA ]

Think you could do me a favor? [ "Chu...?" ] Keep an eye on the place. Make sure nobody's getting in trouble.

[ "Pi-Pikachu!" Aaand with a salute, the mouse hops off, acknowledging Ayaka with a big smile and nod before bounding back inside. Basically to wander. Maybe see what Ringo is up to. Maybe they can protect the teahouse together! Watching him go, Cloud sighs through his nose and smiles back to Ayaka at his side. ]

Hot Pot

[rustyhonesty]

[Jean had gotten an invitation from Ayato to visit the opening so here he is. He's not in the best of party moods, but he wants to support his friends and their close ones.

The Hot Pot has made him curious, so he's been hanging out over there to see what kind of things people put in there, silently glad he hadn't seen Hijikata around to put three bottles of mayonnaise in the pot.

Instead he notices Cloud and his new yellow friend and approaches them with a smile.]

Cute friend you've got there.

[sultanofsquat]

[ "Cute friend you've got there." ]

??

[ Twitch, twitch! go Pikachu's ears as the two of them turn just as the mouse successfully drops the red bean paste into the pot. The Pokémon hasn't met this person, but he's a relatively friendly little monster nonetheless! But he waits atop Cloud's shoulder patiently...who seems even more surprised. ]

Jean. [ A beat. ] Didn't know you were coming.

[ Oh, Cloud knows him!! Pikapiika! Yes he is cute thank you for noticing dangit. ]