Getting that retraction

[grumpy-sunshine.livejournal.com]

It wasn't that Sunshine couldn't take a joke. This particular brand of humor bugged her a little more than it would've somebody who hadn't grown up in the small restaurant business, where that kind of rumor could actually shut a place down. But she knew that wasn't likely to happen here. The real issue was that, having grown up with two younger brothers, she believed that when someone played a prank on you, you pranked back fast and hard enough that they'd never attempt such a thing again.


Accordingly, after the lunch rush on the day after the tabloid's publication, Sunshine called Tim back to the kitchen.

"I asked a couple of boys - do you know Kira and Setsuna? - to come by this afternoon, but I may need to duck out for a minute. If they do show while I'm out, do you think you could bring them back here to the break area," (a corner of the kitchen she'd furnished with a few chairs, books, and a little vase of flowers), "and make sure they stick around till I'm back? I'll leave a few pastries out and you can give them anything they want to drink."

(The pastries would be perfectly fine, of course. She'd never actually doctor her food. But she did kind of wonder if they'd be suspicious of it.)

Comments

[swordandchalice.livejournal.com]

"Like...maybe you get the paper out on time," Setsuna said with amusement, "this time, Senpai? Or just do a small retraction now?" And after that, he started laughing.

[grumpy-sunshine.livejournal.com]

"Aww. No 'you'll never get away with this!'? I had this whole speech planned if you asked me why you shouldn't just jump me and take them back." Rae pretended to pout.

"As long as it gets to everyone and it's signed by both of you, I don't care. You can start ruining your lungs again as soon as it hits the mailboxes."

[swordandchalice.livejournal.com]

Between his fits of relieved laughter, Setsuna said, "I'm not so concerned about getting them back." He never had smoked all that much, but he'd help out to get them back for Kira. The other thing was, of course he wouldn't resort to violence against a girl, but he couldn't stop laughing long enough to say that.

[grumpy-sunshine.livejournal.com]

"Hey now," she said, dodging back with a laugh. The pack was still in her jacket, but she had to hold the cigarette she'd been waving at them away above her head for a second, in classic keep-away position. She brought her other hand up with it for a second, then both down, and tossed a stick of peppermint candy, the exact shape of a cigarette, onto the table.

"Never mess with a transmuter," she said, taking out and waggling the pack, currently in the shape (or at least the outward appearance) of a large, unopened deck of cards. She added for good measure, "Muahaha."

[grumpy-sunshine.livejournal.com]

"Oh, however you want to put it." She'd even let them get away with a certain amount of "and we're definitely not saying this just because she's a devious witch who kidnapped our nicotine' if they wanted. "Just as long as it's legible and sincere."

She reached to take back the candy from Kira's mouth, mildly concerned that it would, somehow or other, not be good for him. Not that cigarettes would be, either, but...

[swordandchalice.livejournal.com]

Setsuna, having seen Rae do this stuff at her arrival, just laughed at Kira, still. He couldn't help himself -- he had been worried for nothing, and he felt a bit foolish, but giddy and impressed with Rae. She was a clever one, she was.

Finally, he calmed enough to say, "We'll get the retraction done as soon as possible. Hopefully before Senpai hits a nicotine fit." As for sincere, there was nothing to worry about if the words were left up to Setsuna.

[[ooc: Rae-mun, Setsuna's going to want to hug Rae now. ♥ This is okay, yes or no?]]

[grumpy-sunshine.livejournal.com]

((Of course it's okay. :D))

"Well, if you don't want one last cigarette to tide you over..." she said to Kira.

"Sounds like a plan."

[swordandchalice.livejournal.com]

"Great! So that's it?" Setsuna asked, still cheerful, though the laughter had died off, finally. He was getting up from his seat and ready to throw one appreciative arm around Rae for a hug.

[grumpy-sunshine.livejournal.com]

Rae took the candy - which was a little sticky, and she wondered if the paper of the cigarette might not now be thiinner on one end, but what could you do? She closed her hand around it. It was always easier, returning tthings to their proper shapes.

She offered the restored cigarette back to Kira, and smiled at Setsuna. "That's it."

[swordandchalice.livejournal.com]

Beaming, Setsuna fully threw one arm around Rae and said, "Thanks," to her, before telling Kira, "Let's go, Senpai. We have a retraction to write."

[grumpy-sunshine.livejournal.com]

Ruffling Setsuna's hair, Rae promised, "I will. See you both."