Sunhat for Two, Please!

[solitarynote]

WHO: Sunny and Mari (and you!). First prompt closed to Mari, the second is OTA ^^
WHAT: Sunny gets a new Sunhat and gifts his sister one.
WHERE: Closed prompt - Sunny and Mari’s shared hut; OTA - around the Oasis
WHEN: Before the second Crossing, after Arrival in the Oasis
WARNINGS None right now, though will update subject lines as applicable. As always, Omori characters can delve into complex topics, so CWs will probably apply more or the Closed thread than Open.

## A Sunhat for You, A Sunhat for Me (Closed to Mari)

[After Sunny’s visit to the Ferryman, he had been acting somewhat strange. A little more aloof, especially when it came to his sister. He normally didn’t approach her, keeping a respectable distance away, until…

One day, he did.

Sunny’s expression can only be described as one a sibling gives their elder when they’ve been caught hiding a secret - which is entirely true. His ears burn in embarrassment and his gaze is pointed away from Mari, AND he’s hiding something in his hands behind his back. It’s difficult getting the words out to tell her what though.]

U-um…


~~~
Begone, Sun Rays! (OTA)

[Those who may have seen Sunny around the Oasis might notice he looks a little different lately: he’s wearing a watermellon-colored sunhat. On top of that, he’s actually walking outside now even during the daytime.

Said hat might be the cause.

Anyone who approaches Sunny may be met with the teen flipping the hat inside out, showing a brightly colored toucan on the inside-now-outside. He looks quite pleased with himself.]

T-Tada…!

Comments

A Sunhat for you, a Sunhat for me

[perfecttune]

[Mari had of course noticed Sunny's unusual behavior but chose not to comment on it. If he was hiding a secret, she hoped that he would feel comfortable talking to her eventually. So when he did approach her, she felt proud of him, and also a bit worried and something might have gone wrong...]

Sunny! Is everything ok? [She wasn't going to beat around the bush, especially if it came to something she could help him out with. Although his current behavior was a side that she didn't often get to see... she couldn't help thinking he looked adorable.]

[solitarynote]

[This certainly was on the minor scale of secrets that Sunny possessed, but he wouldn’t be talking about any of those anytime soon. Still… progress?]

A-ah…

[He burned even redder, unable to get a word out, before bringing whatever he had been hiding to the front, holding it out in front of her.

A pink sunhat. It has a happy pineapple wearing sunglasses on the top.]

F-for… you…

[perfecttune]

[Mari blinked at the unexpected gift, before her eyes lit up as she looked at it. It was so cute! And Sunny had gotten it especially for her! Last she checked it wasn't her birthday... but she wasn't in the habit of denying gifts, especially from her little brother! She quickly pulled him into a hug, squealing.]

Aww! Sunny! Its so cute!!! I can't believe you got me a present! [Taking the hat gently from him, she put it on, releasing him to twirl around, a bright smile on her face.]

How do I look?

[solitarynote]

[Sunny certainly squirmed his way out of the hug if he could! Mari meant well, but he just didn’t like physical contact all that much - especially with how muddled his current feelings for his sister actually were.

He nodded bashfully as she asked for an opinion.] G-good. [He was terrible at compliments! She would have to get a second opinion, though honestly his sister had never looked bad in something. She knew how to wear something with confidence: a skill Sunny poorly lacked too.]

The sun… it’s bright… so I… thought… [Yep, she’s going to have to infer the rest of that sentence. His mumbling just gets worse and more incomprehensible as his ears burn. Sunny was truly glad she liked it, but his stomach was certainly giving him mixed signals with the way it was churning.]

[perfecttune]

[She took the time to focus on his sentence and put two and two together. Smiling, she held the hat in her hands.]

That's a great idea Sunny!

[She frowned though a moment later.]

But what about you? Did you make sure to grab one too? [She wondered if they might get more at some point to help the others in their group out as well... but given the fact that she didn't know how the currency in this world worked...]

(Lol Mari has no points for now XD)

[solitarynote]

[Of course Mari would be concerned! Sunny nodded, a bit excitedly, as he pulled something other than paper out of his shorts pocket:

Another hat! This one had the watermelon-colored side facing up!

Putting it on his head, he hopped excitedly.]

Got… one…

[perfecttune]

[Mari couldn't hold in her excitement once she saw Sunny had a hat of his own.]

Aww... we match! [Sure the designs were different, but the basic structure and the fact that they both had a hat was enough for Mari to count it as matching.]

You're so smart Sunny! It's great that you thought to prepare for the weather! [She smiled at him once more, putting her own hat on.]

[witnessvelama]

[The many wonders of Celehar's world certainly don't include screen-printing or bucket hats.

He's currently settled himself in the shade of one of the buildings, once more without his coat of office - though maybe the first time Sunny has seen him so dressed-down. Still, he lifts his head, alert despite the heat, to watch as the hat is flipped inside out, the enthusiasm more than the reveal itself affecting his expression.]

Did you find it among the houses?

[solitarynote]

[Sunny certainly hasn’t seen Celehar this dressed down, but he’s a little distracted at the moment, so he doesn’t comment on it.

He has a new hat! It keeps the sun off his head and out of his eyes, it has two different patterns to it, and…

He’s just overall thrilled. He isn’t smiling, but his eyes light up in amusement and he hops a few times in place.

The hat maybe makes him feel a little braver, too, because this time he’s talking instead of writing.]

N-no… from the… Ferryman… I asked… [If only he could have found something this cool in one of the huts but… maybe, since he got it from the Ferryman, it won’t leave him when they cross next?]

[witnessvelama]

They gave it to you?

[Admittedly, that makes Celehar... surprised. His expression drops into something a little less guarded, the surprise loosening his usual solemnity as he observes the brightly colored bird on it in a new light.]

I had not thought to ask... they seem preoccupied often.

[That, or perhaps Celehar simply has imposed too many associations with his God upon them - one does not ask Ulis for help in that way, if they're Prelate Celehar.]

[solitarynote]

[Sunny nods, though… with Celehar’s words, he has to wonder if he somehow bothered the Ferryman. They were always kind and patient when talking to him, even if their answers were kind of obscure…]

They’re busy… but… kind… [It was a feeble argument; he wasn’t sure if everything they asked for would be given. But so long as it was something simple… it shouldn’t have been a problem, right?]

[witnessvelama]

They do. It is their work, but they do it with compassion.

[In a familiar way.]

Did you ask them for something to protect against the heat?

[solitarynote]

[Sunny was grateful for that fact. Just because someone had a job to do doesn’t mean that they were obligated to show kindness. He inwardly shuddered, remembering the owner of the candy store back home, the way she would yell if she thought you were trying to take candy without paying.

No thank you…]

Frieda… suggested it… [There was something in the teen’s countenance that changed as he said that: his whisper was almost fond, like he was admitting a close held secret, and he rocked back and forth on his heels.] The sun… is bright… and too hot…

[So it helped him be able to walk around more. Normally, Sunny would have been content to just stay inside and nap, but now? He found he wanted to look around, when he could.]

Begone, Sun Rays! (+ Mari?)

[knockingatthedoor]

[After everything that happened? He's still dead set on offering Sunny all the support he can, because whatever pushed him to the limits back home cannot get any better in a place like this- so he's taking anything positive as a win.

He approached Sunny to check on him, to make sure he was okay, and Kel fully welcomes the little moment of silliness that accompanies their small reunion. The hat? Makes him think of Aubrey, she was the one loving watermelons to bits, but as much as he even misses her... he pushes the feeling to the side.]

Heh- that's a cool find, Sunny.

[As not natural as it is for him now, he forces himself to step forward with the intent of ruffling the other's hair in a friendly (brotherly, even?) way.]

Did you show it to the others yet? I'm sure they'll be jealous, it's the coolest sunhat I've seen so far in here. Maybe we could find somethign for your sister too, mh?

[Kel? trying to spend time wit both siblings? Of course...]

+ Mari!

[solitarynote]

[The hair ruffle has Sunny standing there contentedly. Where he normally would have ducked away - physical contact was still so hit or miss on what he accepted - his pleased nature from the hat must have him more relaxed than usual.

He nods rather excitedly.] Been showing… who I can… [It was good practice, he was happy because of the hat, and honestly it let others know they could get items from the Ferryman too!

At the mention of getting something for Mari, he hopped on the tip of his toes.] Did… she… should have… [Hopefully Mari would be wearing the sunhat when they all met up? For now, Sunny was content to sit in the small shade he could find by the Oasis water’s edge.]

[knockingatthedoor]

[Sometimes it was a bit hard to remind himself he and Sunny were the same age. Right now the other was tugging Kel's heartstrings in a way that was very on a 'protective older brother' way- it was so cute to see him so genuinely... happy (for his standards) about such a small thing.

It was something he missed in the past four years, everyone of their old friend group just seemed so... miserable all the time. But Hero. Sadly, he couldn't remember him.]

To whoever you can huh? Well, it's good to be like this, want your good pal Kel to call everyone's attention? You know I can be loud, right?

[He didn't expect the other to catch up on his offer, but a bit of teasing was.. more natural than being sad all the time, right?]

Mh? [He tilted his head, then, looking at the other with a smile on his face.] Are you trying to tell me she also got one? Man, looks like I'm the one who has to try to keep up with fashion trends here, huh?

[solitarynote]

[Sunny’s eye widens in brief surprise-panic at the offer, and he empathetically shakes his head.

No. Don’t summon everyone. Sunny couldn’t take the crowding. Especially if they all start gushing about the hat.

Baby steps.

Another confirming nod.] Ask… Ferryman… [That’s where he got the hats. The teen takes it off his head, turning the hat inside out. It’s now bright yellow with a toucan on it.] It… flips!

[knockingatthedoor]

[He cannot help but let out a small, small chuckle. It's okay, Sunny, he was just...]

don't worry, I was just teasing you a bit. I'm still very happy to see you content about this. Long live the hat!

[A small pause, then, wondering if asking the ferryman he could get proper... clothes. His shirt is more and more trying to convince him to go full tarzan style as it falls apart but...] It flips! It's amazing, buddy! I'll go ask the Ferryman if I can get an orange one! Orange inside, Joe out, that sounds cool, doesn't it?

[solitarynote]

[Some part of Sunny had known Kel was teasing. Yet another part of him was still wary of the potential outcome. Kel could certainly kick down a lot of doors if he thought it would do the other some good.

Long live the hat, indeed. Sunny gave a pleased, content nod at that. If anything happened to said hat, he probably wouldn’t take it well.]

Orange… Joe… [In truth, Sunny couldn’t imagine Kel in anything but orange right now. Maybe it was because the color still stood out among the desert - a convenient way to not lose his friend in all of the sand. Something about the way Sunny’s gaze rested on the other teen revealed similar thoughts.] What about… clothes?

[urtitan]

[Frieda, wearing her own natural-coloured sunhat, beams and claps at Sunny's little hat trick.]

Oh Sunny, this is so cute! Let me see! Is that a toucan?

[It seems that the Ferryman did put some thought into the design of the requested items, seeing how her own hat resembles the one she had back home and the one she received for Celehar matches his black clothing. It's a small thing, but the consideration makes her feel grateful.]

[solitarynote]

[He will happily show the hat off! Nodding enthusiastically, he hopped closer to her.

Toucan on one side! Watermelon on the other!]

Ferryman… gave it to me… Mari’s too…!

[Though she had a different design. It really was considerate of them!

Sunny’s gaze seems to focus on Frieda’s own hat.] Yours… too?

[urtitan]

Mari's has two sides, too?

[It really is too endearing to give the siblings matching hats! While the idea was a mere whim, she suddenly feels really happy that she thought of it. Given how they all have barely anything to their name, unable to even hold on to most items they find at each station between Crossings, having even such a small things means a lot - and besides, she's never seen a hat like Sunny's before! It really is fabulous.]

Mine is a little like the one I had back home, but cuter - see, it even has a flower!

[She takes it off so he can look at it and try it on if he wants to.]

Oh no thats such a cute hat too!

[solitarynote]

[Sunny’s happy nod was his answer: Mari’s had two sides, and they were both different! The Ferryman was really considerate in that way - while Sunny and Mari had similar head sizes (probably), it would have been hard to tell which hat was his if they had both been identical.

Things like that mattered to Sunny.

The teen took Frieda’s offered hat gently, like it was a treasure that could easily break. It was so pretty… and the flower really fit, he decided. Even as a small part of his stomach cramped at the reminder brought on by such flora.

While he tried on her hat - and it was comically a little big - Sunny offered his own to Frieda. Hopefully it would fit! Whether she wants the watermelon or toucan is up to her.]

Ferryman's been very thoughtful! ‬♡

[urtitan]

[She opts for the watermelon side - the colours are such a pretty contrast! It's a bit small, but she can wear it alright.]

It's really nice, Sunny - so light and comfortable! Was Mari happy to get hers?

[She still feels a twinge of guilt when she thinks of the other girl. While she can't recall what they spoke about during the Crossing, she does remember yelling at Mari, feeling agitated at her... the memories are too diffuse for her to know whether it was justified or not, but is seems hard to imagine. After all, Mari's been nothing but kind to her and everyone else.]

[solitarynote]

[The watermelon hat looks great on Frieda! As the conversation turned to Mari…]

She… was…!

[It was almost a chirp. With how excited he was, talking like this almost made him out of breath. Still… something about his sister’s pleased smile, her hair backlit by the sun, had him both happy and nervous.

That was his own secret, though.]

Was it… sunny… back home? [Frieda had said she wore a hat often back then. Was he making conversation? Maybe? He has yet to realize that he’s doing so, properly, for once.]