#♡ ┋ ᴍɪᴏ ᴀᴋɪᴍᴏᴛᴏ ┋ ♡ 「 & bryn. 」

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"Maybe it's a cultural thing too, not just a big city thing," said Mio, although she was largely saying it for own benefit, as she tapped her chin with her pointer figure. She was in the habit of voicing every thought that came to mind, even if it meant she was effectively speaking aloud to herself in the middle of conversation. " The only other places she'd lived extensively were Tokyo and Los Angeles, two places which, for varying reasons, failed to live up to that expectation of close-knit intimacy. She did miss the simple luxuries of big city life from time to time but she was starting to find that small towns and their sense of community suited her just fine. There was nothing quite like stopping by the local bakery to grab a quick snack before work and always being greeted by the same familiar smiles, instead of the faceless rotation of cashiers she'd encounter at the FamilyMart down the road from her previous dance studio back home. "In some places, the people are all just way too busy and focused on getting through the day to stop and enjoy stuff like this," she said. "And that probably sounds better to you, I guess, since you don't wanna run into people. But trust me, you do not get a minute to yourself."

As for his comments about tipping the scale, Mio founded herself nodding along with every word, even if she wasn't sure she felt exactly the same way. It was a complicated topic, that was certain. "You think so?" she asked, "I've always kind of admired the more stoical types." Perhaps it helped that the one person she'd admired most in life had been her sister, Rei, who had always been quieter than Mio. Now, Rei was hardly a wallflower and could probably talk their way out of any mess, something that Mio also admired on account of her own talent for talking herself into holes, but she doubted they'd ever been at risk of oversharing like Mio. "But maybe I'm just not appreciating my own end of the scale enough. It could go both ways, huh? No matter what side you started on? It makes sense, right, since people can get caught up in their own insecurities too." Somehow, Mio liked this line of thought; everything in balance but there was no achieving that balance until you learned to treat others, but also yourself, with respect. Perhaps that wasn't what he'd intended but for Mio, whose life philopsophy generally revolved around the idea of being pleasant to others and giving everyone a chance, it was appealing.

"Like I said, I'm sure I've seen you," said Mio, confidently. "Maybe I haven't seen you a whole lot but you're kiiiiiiinda familiar. I'm good at remembering faces." This, she said with a playful smile. Then, at the mention of choreography, Mio perked up (at least, she perked up more than she already done; it was very hard to say she had been in low spirits until now.) "Ooh, wait, like the theatre in town?" she asked. "I know some people there!" But, given how elusive he seemed to be at the dance studio, she wasn't certain if there'd be any mutual connections there; yet again, she was just blurting out what came to mind. "Wow, it must be crazy to be good at something you hate," Mio said, blinking in surprise. "But thankfully, I can cook. It's just baking that has me stumped so I guess I can't even ask you for any tips."

Bryn eyed her, noting her eagerness. He lifted his head a bit and raised his eyebrows as she spoke. Then gave a few small nods before saying, "That's good?" As she continued, he glanced to one side, "Are you?" He glanced down, thinking for a moment about what she said. He could get it, of course. The whole thing was fun, he supposed? It inspired, fun? Bryn grinned a bit, "Yeah. In smaller places, it's like, easier to see its charms. I guess?" Though he had always lived in Alaska and hadn't done much traveling where he stayed in many bigger areas, so he only had a small pool to call from on bigger places with events. He knew New York was always lit up.

As Mio spoke of what he was asking about, he nodded and sighed, "I was hoping to avoid people. Now I just think I'm going to run into more." He had half teased. Of course, he didn't want to run into too many people. But he wouldn't have minded if he had met a couple of new people or even friends he had in Anchorage, while there. Which would mean they would probably have a chat, especially with his friends. Which would then mean he wouldn't be going where he wanted to go. Bryn looked around, making a face as he had an inner chat with himself. Concluded he had just forgotten what it was he was doing, at all, before running into Mio. Sucking a bit on his teeth, he turned his head, "It's one option."

"I guess I don't have anything important going on at the moment otherwise." Shrugging, then he turned the donut a bit in his hand, listening when she spoke of balance, "You're right. It does." Staring at her, he looked quite serious for a moment, "But it's good to tip the scales, sometimes. You know?" Bryn liked being in his inner world a lot. But he also did enjoy listening to people's stories. Whatever they might be. He found nothing wrong with them. Mio wasn't exactly telling a story. But what she was doing was holding his attention, if she were to tell a story, he would have listened. Bryn inhaled, "I think we are often caught up in, so many things. Whatever side of the scale we land on, we tend to not appreciate the other side enough."

Bryn gave a nod then, understanding what he was early for, "Great." As she brought up them being co-workers he gave a small nod of his head again, as if to encourage her more toward this confirmation of the fact, "For at least two years?" He prompted then laughed weakly, "But, yeah, I do work there. Maybe you don't see me, since I don't just offer sweet dance movies. I do movie and theater, stuff for those. I think that's really cool of you to do." He commented. Then nodded, "I don't like cooking, but apparently I'm wonderful at it. So your secret is safe with me. Promise."

[dreampedia]

Mio nodded, as serious as she was eager. “Of course I'm looking forward to it,” she said. “But I'm also the type to get excited about any old event. I just like it when stuff's lively, you know? Especially in a town like this, it's a lot more intimate than the big cities.” Moving to Anchorage had been a culture shock, Mio would not deny that, but over time, she'd grown to see the charm in a place like this. This would probably be quite a pleasant little town were it not for everything that had been happening lately--- not that Mio ever let anything like that break her spirit. “There might have been some art like that,” she said, with an awkward grin that was almost a grimace. Truth be told, although she'd strolled through to take a look at all the art and been entertained enough by the sights, Mio hadn't been paying close attention to the individual details. She'd mostly been drawn to the brighter pieces. “But that's all the more reason you should go take a look yourself. Maybe there's a hidden gem in there just for you?” Or was she laying it on a little too thick? A consummate saleswoman, she was not.

She almost moved to pluck up a doughnut and plop it into his palm but he'd moved to take it by himself before she could. Just as well, it'd probably have been a little awkward if he were just joking and she had she moved any quicker. “Guess you're right. Everything in balance-- people like me go off on tangents so the quiet types can sigh a breath of relief,” Mio laughed. That probably wasn't how it worked at all but it was pleasant to think of a world where all of one's flaws were simply somebody else's strength. This was the optimistic worldview by which this young woman lived.

“Oh? I just meant you were early for the doughnuts,” said Mio, blinking. It was noon, after all. Sure, maybe that early to someone, Mio wouldn't judge, but she got the impression neither one of them fit that description. As for his question about her own work hours, Mio could only raise an eyebrow. “I think we might be co-workers? We might even have the same boss,” she said, with a light chuckle. “You work at the dance studio too, right? I think I've seen you around before. But right now, I'm just here to volunteer 'cause I wanted to help. Between you and me, I can't even kinda bake.”

Brushing passed a few people, Bryn yawns, scratching the side of his head as he continues on his path. Exhausted as he was often around this time during his day, he came to a stop yawning again and looking around, wondering if he could sneak in a small nap while he waited for his next class to begin. He figured he still had plenty of time and then some till then, why not.

That was until a voice sounded off next to him, and a shiver ran over his body, he turned his head and listened to the woman. Turning his gaze away, he gives a small, single nod saying, “Yeah. It absolutely is tomorrow. You're looking forward to it, huh?” Questioning, he observed her. But within the next moment was looking away, his eyes back onto his phone. His left hand moved to rub the back of his head, toying his fingers through his hair a bit, and standing sluggishly, listening to Mio chatter on.

“Uh… No. I haven't.” He sucked on his teeth a bit, making a noise with his mouth. In the next moment, dropping his hand away from his head, shaking it out toward his side before gently tapping it to the side of his leg, “Anything good on display? Maybe something with an ocean or woodsy theme?” Bryn bothered to ask, then. Quirking an eyebrow at her pause, he stuck his head out a bit, as if expecting, waiting, for her to say more now.

But as Mio started up again, he bit his bottom lip briefly before shrugging, ��So what? I talk too little, sometimes. Some say. Anyone who's got a problem with either, is more the problem, in my book.” Lifting his left hand up then, he held it palm up, to receive the doughnuts, “Sure, free food is always good.” Looking down, he laughed and then moved his hand into the box, carefully grabbing one from it and holding it cautiously in the palm of his hand, “Yeah. I have a job. They want me up at four in the morning, some days. It's crazy. And dark.” Turning his head away, however, he sighs, “What about you, how early does the boss have you get up?”