2014-02-09 - Friendship In Allies
| Title: Friendship In Allies | |
|---|---|
| Summary: An uncertain ally turns to a friend. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Midori-Ya Bakery, Tama District | |
| OOC - IC Date: 02/09/2014 - 11/29/13 | |
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
The dreaded meeting. Or meetings, if you prefer. However, this one, considering it's location, has required a lot more planning on Hisae's part - and thankfully, the fact that it's happening on a school day, means she can quickly put some things together. Her mother sponsors some after school stuff, as a teacher at Juuban, and her brother comes home with her, and her dad after that, so that means the house will be empty, but...
Hisae doesn't know one of the potential allies showing up all too well, and she supposes she should change that.
So, she sent out a polite message, requesting a visit one day out at the fairly neutral location, which in this case happened to be the very delicious store known as the Midori-Ya Bakery.
Shuffling in, she unwraps her scarf from her head, tucking it into a pocket, looking around for Runealy. At least she's easy to spot, with her height.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
Rune got here slightly early. She's actually waiting near the door... just enough out of the way to not bother customers, but still basically 'right there' and easily found. Hisae's arrival draws a tiny nod; the princess is rather 'quiet' and subdued at the moment, unsure what to expect. There are just so many things she doesn't know about all this, what's expected... what's going to happen.
Still, Runealy is here and Hisae has her full attention.
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Ah... hello, Waldia-san." Hisae says, bowing slightly towards the younger girl when she notices her. "HOw are you doing today? I hope that my summons was not... inconvienent for you." Hisae notes. "If it was, my apologies." She then gestures. "Let's go find a quiet area s owe don't get strange looks just standing by the door, eh?" She offers, giving a warm smile, trying to find a decent table, taking a seat with a sigh.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
Runealy returns the bow, then blinks repeatedly when Hisae speaks. "Okay." She easily agrees to that, following Hisae over and sitting down. "Though... why are you the one apologizing? I've hurt your friends. 'Inconvenience', after that... is nothing." She lets out a deep breath. "Even if I've apologized to most of them already and found a way to start making amends, I never got to talk to you about it until just now. I'm sorry you had to worry about them..."
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"I actually feel bad that I couldn't be there, to well, help." Hisae says. "Kinzo-kun came back and told me what had happened and what was going down, and why people were doing what they did." Or, Runealy did what she did, anyways. She shrugs off her jacket, settling back against her chair.
"Runealy-san... if I may use your name so familiarily, you just have to use your experiences to get stronger. APologizing all the time, while appreciated, isn't going to achieve anything." Hisae offers gently.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Listen," Rune suddenly looks up, gaze intent and focused as she meets Hisae's eyes. "So he told you about that? Then you know why... why 'inconvenience' is nothing. Why you can use my name with as much familiarity as you want. It's because you and your friends, in various ways, are why I still have a home. Why I still have Rose and Sky, and my father, and why I'm going to get a chance to grow and move past this. Don't ever worry about offending me or getting my attention at a bad time. When all of you have done that for me, even though you had no reason to?"
She pauses for a little breath, then concludes: "You're entitled. When it comes to any of those things, you're entitled and then some. There are people here that I owe almost everything to, and I don't want to see them worry about formalities or convenience with me!"
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Hisae's grey eyes meet Rune's gaze, her mouth settling into a stubborn line. "They're entitled. I did nothing. For me, I am okay with just being friends. I have heard there are more things to worry about then entitlements and paybacks, nowadays." She says. "What exactly, or why, eludes me, but I will find out."
She then takes a deep breath. "In that case, Runealy-san, I think I better share some information with you." Hisae rummages in her little purse, before she pulls out a beautiful little blue and silver perfume bottle with pink accents. The elegant script of it reads 'Winterberry' on the front. She doesn't say anything further, though, presuming Runealy will get the point.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
She apparently does. Rune sees that, eyes briefly wide as her mind does the 'gymnastics' involved in fully assembling and accepting a conclusion she suspected was true for a while. "Someone had to stay behind and make sure Earth didn't fall apart while your friends were away. You did that much, and it's definitely something. So if you're offering to be friends," the princess finally relaxes a little. Still serious, but no longer fretful as she was moments ago. "Then thank you. That means a lot to me!"
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Hisae winks slightly at Runealy before she puts her Perfume back in a bag, this time making sure it's on top of everything else, just in cas ea youma shows up so she doesn't spend five minutes finding her transformation device.
"Hai, that I did. I think. For the most part." She says, laughing slightly. "In that case, I think this makes you a truly offical ally of the Warriors, Runealy-san; have they informed you of our meeting soon?"
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Meeting?" Rune raises an eye, thinking on this for a few seconds. Then, "I think I might have heard something vague about it, but this makes it a bit more clear. Listen, before we talk about any meetings..."
The princess' demeanor softens. "Would it be okay to say 'friend' instead of 'ally'? Putting it like that makes it sound like I'm moving armies around or getting political, and... while I have to do a little of that last part just because of who I am, I don't want to think of all of you so formally. You've saved my life on multiple levels, and I really think it's more fair to call you friends instead of allies."
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"In that case, have you heard about the party I'm throwing?" Hisae says, barely missing a beat. Then she dissolves into a fit of giggles, leaning over the table. "Okay, I think we can think of it like that. Let me give you my address and more information. Um. No one else will be home so we'll be talking about lots of stuff." She notes.
"Feel free to bring snacks, as well, if you have a favorite treat! We'll be hanging out up in my room."
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Party?" Runealy proves to be amazingly good at repeating things Hisae says! Nonetheless, the lighter mood is continuing to win her over... getting a little less grimly serious bit by bit. "I'll get you mine too," Rune offers before realizing, "...Wait, you already have it." How else could this meeting have been arranged, after all?
"Favorite treat... well, most of what's 'my favorite' is back home, but maybe I can find something new here to go with. Think I'm pretty close already," Rune gestures around the Midori-ya. She hasn't ordered much right now, but being a very regular customer is probably earning her the ability to loiter a little at the moment. "But is this a party or meeting, or both? I don't quite get it."
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"More of the second, with some of the first. I mean, let's be realistic, if we're all friends, a meeting isn't a meeting so much as it's just a chance to hang out and discuss important things while enjoying each other's company! Friendship is the most wonderful thing, Runealy-chan; for nothing is ever quite so serious when you have a friend by your side."
"Or, in this case, lots of friends."
Hisae finds a notepad and pen next in her purse, which seems to act as a substitute bookbag, writing down her details in a scrawl. A somewhat elegant, but still a scrawl scrawl.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Sometimes it's more serious, but... I get what you mean," Rune is willing to not get dragged down in semantics, ready to take the note once it's finished. "Friends help a lot. I was originally going to come here all alone, and I'm really glad friends talked me out of that." This brings the princess' mood back to something serious. "Actually, can I ask you to pass something on to the others? So you can think about it before I do this in the middle of... well, a fight? It's important enough to bring up right now."
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Hisae smiles. "Um, yes, sure." She says. "Maybe you could bring it up at the meeting, though?" She suggests, tenatively. "Or is this something that might be happening sooner than the week?" THe Perfumer sniffs slightly as a newly baked pan of something comes out of the back of the kitchen area.
".. I may also need a break for some sweets..."
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"It really might happen without warning. The last time did." Rune is firm on this point; it honestly is a thing worth bringing up, she feels. "And that's fine if we get a meal while we talk about it. Go ahead and get something for both of us? I'll cover it." It's important, but not right-this-second urgent, apparently.
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Hisae gives a brief nod. "In that case, one moment please." She then stands up and wanders over to the register area, ordering a big multi-plate with a bit of everything, and then a box of creampuffs to take home later, because Hisae uses them to bribe people with. She does pay for the puffs herself though, coming back with a pair of tea cups as well.
"Okay then, what's up?" She asks, cheerfully.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
Runealy smiles briefly when Hisae returns, deciding to start on a pastry before getting to the important part. "It's about the shard. Possibly shards, more than one. The ones that grant a wish and people are fighting over. If I get one... I want to be able to bring it to people who can keep it safe."
That immediately sounds self-incriminating. Rune winces and quickly explains: "This is if I happen upon one. I'm not going to attack anyone to take it from them, unless they're a monster or it's obvious their wish is going to hurt people."
With that important clarification made, Rune concludes: "The Perfume Warriors are very high on my list of people I might bring it to, and I wanted to know how you felt about that before I try it in the middle of a fight. They're dangerous to hold on to since people will come for them, after all."
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Shards. Shards. What shards? Hisae actually frowns as she listens to Runealy, taking a sip of tea, before she starts looking incredibly embarrassed and asks, almost in a whisper; "What's a shard?" Clueless Hisae is... well... incredibly clueless.
Or it could be that she's not actually queried the bounty post about star shards on the Tuner board. "I'm afraid I've been studying a lot lately.." She runs a hand through her hair.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
Rune blinks several times, not expecting this setback. "Oh. You haven't heard?" Hisae has just outright asked, so that's a pretty reasonable conclusion! "A lot of people have been having this dream lately about them. That if you can gather them, you'll either get something incredible or get your specific wish. The dream feels really, really 'real.' Real enough that..."
Runealy's head lowers, "That when the Dark Kingdom made a move to get one that appeared in a store, they actually just left after a few minutes and won by retreating. 'We', the people who are supposed to protect Tokyo, just started tearing into each other to get it. A few of us just stayed out of it, but most jumped in."
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Oh... that may have been what they were talking about at school the other day..." Hisae says with a slight frown, nibbling on her bottom lip as she tries to place the information she's getting from Runealy.
"I probably shouldn't be telling you this, but.... the Tuners... they posted a bounty of seven million dollars for seven shards." Hisae says in a much quieter voice than she was using.
"I wouldn't be surprised if that's why some of the Tuner's are doing it. You also just explained about why the post when up." Hisae mumbles unhappily. "I don't like this."
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
Someone doesn't have a very good poker face. Runealy has to take a few seconds to do the monetary conversions. The first conclusion she reaches is that someone in the Tuners is massively undervaluing how much 1/7th of a wish is worth.
The other conclusion is that this is still a lot of money, and might be as Hisae says; it might be just enough to tempt some people to descend into infighting. /That/ realization draws a wide-eyed gasp, and it's only after that 'composure blunder' that Rune calms down and turns more conspiratorial. "You didn't tell me that. You didn't tell me that, and if saying anything else would put you in danger then don't do it. This is already really a big help."
Then she turns back to less 'shadowy' matters. "So that's what it is. If I get hold of a shard and don't think I can keep it, I want to give it to people I know can both hold it safely, and trust to not make a wish I'd regret helping happen. Could you ask your friends? Whether the Perfume Warriors are willing to accept any shards if I just happen upon one?"
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"I didn't tell you a thing, I understand." Hisae says with a brisk nod. Hisae, who also did the quick math in her head, is in kind of awe at the one million per shard. That's enough to see /anyone/ into anything they would want to do or ever want. But for Hisae...
Well...
"I am personally willing to hold onto one. Money has never been a thing for me, and I have everything I could ever wish for... for the most part." Hisae says with a slight grin. "I wish I was shorter, sometimes. But that's so silly. But I'll ask the others."
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Shorter?" Rune actually has to allow a slight laugh at that. "You know, I was going to ask you what your wish would be. 'Shorter' is still a lot better than anything the Dark Kingdom would wish for, so I'm not going to talk down on it. But, listen," Now she's serious again. "'Personally willing' is nice, but this needs to be something you're all okay with. People will come after these shards. They're not something you can leave at home. It needs to be somewhere really safe, with a group of friends helping each other watch over it. So it needs to be a group decision."
Then she sags into her seat, finally returning to the meal. "That was all I had to bring up. Sorry to have gotten you off topic when you were trying to be nice... we can talk about other things too."
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"It sucks being tall!" Hisae says, laughing slightly. "I mean, sure, I have a upper hand in basketball and other gmaes like that, but..." She shakes her head. "I'm tall and thin and while it's not bad..." She shrugs. "Aye, I'll talk to them. No matter what, though, any shard holder is going to have a issue. Going home for the day. Sleeping. Things like that."
She helps herself to another chocolate puff, giving a sigh. "Wehhh... you go to Ohtori, right Runealy-chan? What grade are you in?" Hisae thinks to ask.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Isn't basketball one of the things Utena plays?" Rune asks this as if one of Ohtori's star athletes is a household name, almost. The question itself betrays a certain lack of cultural awareness in any case. "And that's right," a slight nod follows. "Ohtori, seventh grade. Everything is so weird, I've always had individual tutors and now it's all in one big classroom with everyone else. Guess it works out, though." Pause, then, "How about you?"
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Utena...?" Hisae asks. "That famous athlete I hear about in the sports club from Ohtori? I don't know." She grimaces. "Ninth-grade, Infinity. I'm having to sit my high school entrance exams soon..."
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Her, yeah," Rune is quick to confirm this identity, but Utena fails to hold interest for very long right now. Instead, Hisae has mentioned something a little more unusual. "An entrance exam? How does that work? I get the feeling that's a little different for you than it is for me?" If by 'a little' one means 'a lot', perhaps.
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"It probably is. For Japanese students, we only receive education up through ninth grade freely. If you want to go into high school, you sit through grueling, one day exams, then apply to the school that you want to go to, hoping your grades are good enough. I could have to leave Infinity if I don't pass my examination when I apply to go there as a high-school student. It's the same thing for college."
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Oh, wow..." Rune is taken aback to hear this. "Maybe it's not /too/ different then. If you fail these exams, then what? 'No more school', but what does it mean for you from there?"
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
Hisae shakes her head. "There's not really 'failing' so much as 'not getting the score needed for the school or university you want'. The more prestigious it is, the harder you cram, and the better your entrance examination score needs to be!"
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"Ohh!" This comes as some relief to the princess. Rune finishes off her part of the meal in the meantime. "So you still get some chance to succeed afterward, just not the exact one you wanted. For a moment I was afraid they just... threw people out." The prospect draws a bit of a shudder.
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Some students choose to go to technical colleges instead of attending high school. That's the only case I can think of, though." Hisae says with a nod. "It's after that when the examinations are like that, for college proper; some students fail and cramm all year to sit the tests again, just so they get into their college of choice.."
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"That's pretty rough," Rune comments, starting to calm down some despite her words. "At least you get another chance, though. Good luck on yours, hopefully you don't need the 'retry', but... hey." Something suddenly occurs to her, "What /are/ you trying to get from school? What's your goal, that the exam is this important to you?"
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"I want to go into sciences." Hisae admits in a quiet voice. "Which is, as you can probably except, really hard to get into normally, especially since I want to go all the way and gain my doctorate." Hisae has plans for the next 15 years.
<Pose Tracker> Runealy Waldia [Ohtori Academy (7)] has posed.
"What's a...?" Rune cuts herself off; that may just be a word to look up later. A few headshakes follow, then she warms up. "Sounds like you're aiming really high. That's good!"
<Pose Tracker> Hisae Musumi [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.
"Yes, good, but I don't have any free time left whatsoever. I go home ,study, go fight a youma, go home, eat, study, sleep, school, and then the process repeats itself all over again!" Hisae says cheerfully. "I'm glad we talked, Runealy-san."
