The Mori Christmas Gala by kaoruhana
The Banquet Hall
Prompt: Candy Cane
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Kagome walked into the large banquet hall that was and had been reserved for the rest of December. The annual Mori Christmas Gala for Tokyo Orphans was to be held here- an event where orphaned children in Tokyo who excelled in studies and were below the age of sixteen got a chance to experience a dazzling and decorated Christmas. Only the best children who had the most promising talent for leadership and education were invited. She was excited to be a part of it again this year- it really was a joy to see the smiles on the faces of the children.
She had helped out the past four years- helping organize the party and running around with last minute decorations and such. This year however was different- this year her manager had decided to have her be the sole person in charge of organizing the party. It was her manager’s way of testing her; she was touted to be the new president of the tiny company she worked at if this event went off without a hitch. The Jewel Party Planning Company had been behind the gala since it’s beginning; she couldn’t lose the deal now.
As she walked further into the room, she was distinctly aware of the other person with her. Behind her, she heard the heels of her host’s Personal Assistant- Kagura Onigumo or Kagura-san. Mori-san, she had been told was busy today. Kagura caught up with her and walked by her side to the center of the room, talking as she led the way.
“How will you decorate this space? Do you need information on past programs? It might take some work but I’ll do it.” Kagome rolled her eyes at the caustic comment. If the lady didn’t sound so snobby she probably would get along with her better.
“It’s fine. I’ve helped out with previous programs so I know how the Mori Corporation has usually planned these galas.”
“Okay then. Mori-san wants to meet with you later this week. He’s a bit tied up but as his PA I’ll take care of the details and contact you when he arrives. Anything else?” Kagome turned in the middle of the room taking a look at the space once more. Already, she was getting ideas in her head about how she would make this year’s party better than the last. Anything to see those smiles.
“I’ll just begin planning a basic sketch today.” The party planner mused before she addressed the PA again. “The sheet we got faxed from your office said that this year there are 400 people on the guest list and you want five trees spaced around the room right?”
“Yes. And we didn’t fax the budget to you, but Mori-san told me about it this morning: The budget is a million yen- half for catering and food, the other half for party decorations. Obviously, you have the tables and chairs ready for you in this banquet hall as part of the booking deal. Do you think you can do it?”
“Sure. Before you go, Onig… er Kagura-san, can we talk about food?” Kagome made a face; she didn’t see why the lady didn’t go with her last name instead. But she waited for the lady’s nod and when she received it, she spoke.
“How Christmas-themed is it? Is the Mori-corporation going for a home-away from home gala?” She remembered Christmas at her house- the Higurashi (sometimes referred to as Sunset) shrine. Due to her job, her family celebrated Christmas together the day after but there was always fried chicken on the table followed by a lovely strawberry sponge cake that she and her mother made during the afternoon.
“It’s a gala Higurashi.” Kagura stated gaining Kagome’s ire once again. Really, even if she was American-born, Kagura should have known certain rules by now about Japanese etiquette.
“I see. Thank you then.” Kagura nodded, handing Kagome keys and rattling off some other pieces of information. As soon as the party planner watched the other woman leave, she grabbed her phone and dialed a familiar number.
“Shippo’s Bakes and Cakes- how can I help you?”
“Hey Ship!” Kagome addressed her longtime friend. “How much does an order of 1,000 Candy Canes cost? Or 500?”
“Hmm, 500 puts you at about 5,123 yen and 1000 at 7,000. Why- you planning another event?” Kagome hummed affirmatively in response as she walked towards a table in the corner to gage its size.
“Say Ship- get me the deal for 5,000- 500 of them. I’ve been your loyal customer for years and you know we always call you first if we plan an event.” The bakery owner grumbled and Kagome teased but when Kagome put the phone away five minutes later, she had a 5,000 yen dent in her budget and candy canes arriving. Well, at least one thing was done!
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A/N: I did not mean any insult when I mentioned Kagura is American. I just needed an excuse for her to be ignorant of honorifics. And if I did my math right- Kagome got the candy canes for around $25. Also, please- if I made any errors (I am still jet-lagged) let me know.