* NO TEARS LEFT TO CRY.

     “That’s the only good thing about this holiday… But I never      get chocolates from anyone…”

Chocolates from dad really don’t count, either. There is that 50% off sale, but she has to survive through this holiday first, and that’s not gonna be any fun! She feels a little bad about being so negative, though… Ann seems really excited.

❛ You should’ve just said! I’ll gladly make some chocolate for you this year! What’s your favorite type? ❜

     “Ugh… I should stay in my room for this…”

Hearts Wake? Basically Valentine’s Day, and she didn’t want to deal with that. She remembers how people laughed in her face when she tried to give them Valentines…. And how she was one of the few that never got any thing on White Day… So many bad memories.

❛ But Futaba! Think of all the chocolates there’ll be! ❜

🌹Haru stared at the meal for some seconds, not that she was wary about Anne’s reccomendations it was out of pure curiosity. Raspberries and chantilly cream seemed to be the main ingredients as far as she could tell, though the slightly brownish gradient may be an indicator of a touch of cinnamon. 

❝ It looks inviting, I’ll give it that. ❞ Without further ado, she shyly nibbled a sizable bit of it, holding it carefully to avoid getting her clothes dirty. Her munches were quiet as she savored it, her expression brightening up as she did so. 

❝ Oh my, this is so good! We definitely need to bring some tea, next time. I have the perfect kind of blend in mind. ❞

As much as she knew Haru liked tea with her sweets, Ann much preferred coffee. An iced latte would sound so nice right now, though it would be hard to balance with one hand already occupied with the crepe. 

Ann’s eyes watched her friend take a bite of the crepe, interested in hopefully knowing that she had accurately guessed her friend’s taste. Haru was always so refined and elegant.. Definitely a lady, like the title Morgana often used for her.

It’s kind of a shame that we don’t have any right now.. But maybe next time, we can bring some! ❜

It’s honestly expected that Ann would the connoisseur of sweets – and more specifically, of this crepe shop. She frequented it at least once a week, if not more. It was a little hard to pass by without at least buying at least something. Besides, it was the perfect place to take friends! 

          ★ –;; He’s just finished helping a too-short person-in-need with hanging a wreath and some garland around some posts when Vash hears someone else and– a rather pitiful looking paper chain.

“Oh, uh–”

“I can sure try!” 

Truth is, he’s never been much of the creative type when it comes to his hands; he’s good with a hammer and nails, with taking things apart and putting them together again. The last time he had been roped into anything artsy had been when the gaggle of children down the street had roped him into making macaroni art.

It. Hadn’t been very good.

“What…. were ya’ going for?”

Ann pulls out another sheet of construction paper. She was running a little low on supplies – that’s what happens when you’re a little too prideful to ask for help – but she’ll cross the bridge of being paperless when she comes to it. Gratefully, she hands him a piece of light blue paper, the perfect color for snow.

❛ Thanks! It’s supposed to be a snowflake chain but.. Somehow I can’t figure out how to connect them. Maybe I’m making too many cuts?

Well, you can never have too many sweets! But.. I think it would be nice to make a few more friends around here. ❜

It wasn’t uncommon for Ann to find herself glued to the bakery window, but was what was different this time were the holiday cakes that decorated the display. Vibrant colors of red, fresh winter fruits.. They looked sooooo good!! It reminded her so much of home.. and sharing cakes with her friends. Well, she’ll definitely be picking one for the Phantom Thieves for later, but.. It wouldn’t hurt to grab a bite for right now.

❛ Do you think they sell slices? They have to, right? ❜

Ann holds up the paper decorations almost shamefully, light filtering through the openings. What was supposed to be linked snowflakes resembled separated scraps of paper, and definitely not cheerful snowflakes. If her grip wasn’t as tight, they would most certainly litter the floor. Oops..? They definitely couldn’t be hung up like this!

❛ Do you mind helping me? I don’t think I followed the instructions correctly. It doesn’t look... like what I expected. ❜

finals kicked my butt and my hiatus is gone, but i’ve been re-watching some parts of p5 in the downtime of my studying.. so here’s a small starter call, capping at three!!

morgana quickly changed from a puddle of fluff to a rigid expression of surprise.

”twice?! and the first time was a few months? how could that be, you were with us in shibuya the whole time…”

he relaxed a little bit as she scratched right at that spot on his chin, thinking hard, tapping a paw to his white chin as he tried not to purr.

”i had a guess that this place was in another dimension, but to think it could even have a different timeline…strange. i’m just so glad you’re safe. and i’ll be more careful next time!”

at her last line, he perked up slightly, blinking.

”how many of us are here? i’ve found a few, but…is everyone here?”

Ann quickly smoothed the fur that was now standing up from Morgana with her hand. He was always like this when things took him for a shock – or if he didn’t get the sushi that he wanted. In a few moments, she knew it would go back to lying flat.

❛ Wait, what? I was?? I swear, I was here the whole time. ❜

Her memories couldn’t tell her otherwise.. All that had happened, all the monsters she fought, all the memories she made. Surely the weren’t... Imaginary. Well, this place was pretty mysterious, so she wouldn’t be surprised. But, even so.

❛ Another dimension? And timelines? Morgana, you’re making my head spin.. I’m sure you will too! Hmm, I wouldn’t say all, but a ton of us are here! Um, maybe not Haru though. I haven’t seen her at all...

And you haven’t seen anyone, I’m guessing? ❜

”well, it’s not usually my style, but i like to try everything at some point. plus the lead actress is a total smokeshow, so i like to show support as a fan.”

so this girl was a solo movie-goer, just like herself. well, the line was taking longer than expected, so why not stir up some conversation?

”this theatre’s pretty cool, it has a lot more food and drink options than most. you look underage so the bar won’t interest you, but here’s a tip; if you’re in the mood for a slushie, ask the cashier to mix together the vanilla and the orange soda flavors – oh, more orange soda than vanilla, you have to be specific – and the result tastes like an orange creamsicle soda thing. it’s very nice.”

catherine took a break to take a quick bite of one of her churros; the cinnamon sugar scent was just too tempting to wait until she sat down.

”my name’s catherine. it’s nice to meet another casual movie enthusiast.”

It’s nice you’re giving it a shot! I think romance is something that a lot of people enjoy, it’s just so easy to place yourself in their shoes!

Not to mention how easily Ann sympathized with the story. True love could be so hard to find sometimes! Ugh, how lucky they were to find romance so easily. And Ann was many things, but she would never be elitist over movie choices – they were all there to enjoy a good movie, after all!

❛ Ooh, an orange creamsicle? That sounds sooooo good!! Maybe I’ll pick one up during the previews.. ❜

Based on how much money she spent on candy, she wasn’t entirely sure she could shell out a few bucks for a a slushie, but she absolutely needed the full movie-going experience! She’ll take a look at her wallet after she could set down her stash of candy. 

         And she was right! He could hardly contain his own excitement as he rushes over to the open door. Pausing in front of it, a… smile(?) of sorts graces his features. It looks a bit odd on his face but he’s thankful that she even bothered opening the door for him. After all, no one really opens doors for Kanji… like ever. Anyway, he nods in her direction and mumbles a quiet ‘thanks’ before entering. 

         It was pretty noisy today – probably because of the sale going on. But as soon as he steps in, the smell, oh god, the smell of baked goods just envelopes him and further fuels his excitement. Turning back to check that she made it inside as well, he gestures her towards the order line. 

         “Looks kinda busy today, think we’ll be able to get a seat? Would suck to hafta eat it outside…”

Before he enters, she sees what looks like a smile on his face. It doesn’t look quite like one, but she doesn’t think he means it in a malicious way. He reminds her a bit of another blond – standoffish, but well intentioned. So, she gives him one of her own smiles, hoping to ease any worries he might have.

❛ No problem! ❜

She follows him inside, letting the door shut behind with a jingle that could be hardly heard over the crowd. 

Looking back at Ann, she catches that familiar expression. It dawns on her she might have pushed too much while trying to get information about the situation. 

“I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about everything about it. I’m just– I know it’s painful.” It’s what she knows best, regrettably, the pain. Guilt creeps in just as Kamoshida moves. Her fist strikes out on impulse. Of course, it goes right through his form as if she was hitting at smoke. Surprised, she shifts her weight to a leg and kicks at him a few times. His form wavers but stays put. She stops when Ann speaks again.

“So, he confessed. Then, you did all you could. Even with all that happened, you did the best you could, I think. I would be crazy to expect you to actually kill him. I couldn’t expect that of a kid.” A civilian, even, who probably never fought without powers and whatever this Persona was before. “No one really should. I’m sorry.” 

As much as she wants Ann to have the same kind of satisfaction she did, it’s not feasible. They’re too different people, even if their trauma seems similar. She wills herself to remember that. “But, if he shows his face around here again, where I can actually touch him, let me know.”

It’s not that Ann was holding back, keeping it a secret. It’s nothing to be ashamed of – at least that’s what she thinks. But still, society wanted her to keep her mouth shut. To stop her from sharing her story. And even if the setting was different, the effects were still long lasting. A brush of tears won’t wipe away the suffering she’s been through. 

❛ It’s not that.. I mean. I just.. I’ve never talked to anyone about this before. I mean, anyone who wasn’t originally part of everything that happened. ❜

That’s what made her so close to the Phantom Thieves, after all. A rag-tag group of teenagers forced to band together to steal back from the society that already stole so much. 

❛ You really think so? I’ve always beat myself up thinking I could’ve done more.. Should’ve done more. I’ve never been more angry, and felt more helpless than I did then. ❜

Verbalizing her feelings if harder than it seemed. Ann can hardly stare to look at his disgusting face, but she keeps her eyes up long enough to see Jeane throw a punch or two. Nothing but smoke. Nothing that could hurt her now.

She gives a small bit of a smile to the blonde, laughing at her remarks. It’s a wonder how she hasn’t already upped and left, helping Ann throughout her trauma as if it was her own. She can’t emphasize how much she appreciates it.

morgana may have had a sentence or a greeting prepared, but when ann scooped him up, he instantly turned into butter. he leaned into ann’s secure hold, tail swinging back and forth as he purred gently. dreams really could come true!”

”i’m so grateful you’re here, lady ann…! how did you get here? how long have you been here?”

it felt like only yesterday when they were all together on the road trip to take himself and akira back to the countryside, but time might have been different here. he straightened out in her hold a little to get himself back on track, though his tail was still going as it was before.

”sorry to make you trip, i got a little overzealous. that was rude of me. are you alright?”

It had to be Morgana – no other cat would be so happy to see her, though she had made friends with a stray or two back home. He’s pretty much boneless in her arms, and she readjusts her grasp for a second to scratch his head fondly. Just as soft as she remembered!

❛ It’s really great to see you too, Morgana! I didn’t think you’d show up here, actually.. I’m not about how I got here, but I’ve actually been here twice! Once for a few months, and now I’m back.. I think I’ve been here for a few months again since then. What about you? ❜

She begins to scratch just underneath his mouth, her eyes trailing upward to remember the exact details.