2019-06-15 - Insert Coin For Friendship
| Title: Insert Coin For Friendship | |
|---|---|
| Summary: Two classmates spending time in an arcade for different reasons realize there's a bit more about each other than what they see in class. | |
| Who: | |
| Where: Shitamachi - Game Center Crown | |
| OOC - IC Date: 6-15-2019 - 6-8-2015 | |
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
The Monday afternoon light filters in through the windows of the Game Crown Arcade, failing to brighten up the interior while meanwhile not allowing the interior of the room to be illuminated by lightbulbs and flashy game screens. The refrigerated air inside offers a safe haven from the building June heat, and with refreshments waiting upstairs for those able to ignore the siren song of electronic sound effects, the Crown is sure to be busy any day of the week.
Niramo Umokeshi came in just to listen to the siren song after her school day. Her grades have remained surprisingly steady these last few months, but Social Studies is always a struggle even when the ravenette is feeling completely rested, and of course there was a surprise quiz early this morning. Releasing some stress before she heads home and attempting to deal with the extra studying awaiting Niramo, and while it could be said that you can play video games at home just like at an arcade, the gaming hall is always unique.
And it would be a little hard to concentrate with the illusionary glare of her textbooks aimed at her back.
It's why the Juuban student can be found sitting in the plastic seat of a racing game cabinet, the sides plastered with colorful artwork of dish pans and rockets with grins chasing after a panicing T-Rex driving a go-kart. Dark green eyes focus entirely on the screen as her chosen character slowly starts to gain speed again, but the lay starts to gain speed again, but the last attack has left her too far behind now to make it to the top three. With a groan of disappointment, she leans back and relaxes as she fails to regain her position and lose her chance for a free race.
"Awww...the computer drivers need to be challenging, but they need to give you a chance to win..."
<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
The powerful spaceship charges through space, decimating the alien army. The giant space wasps attempt to destroy the spacecraft, but it deftly dodges and fires upon its foes. Soon the fierce army returns fire with its expert squadron of penguins, but even then, they were no match for the valiant captain of the fighter ship. He pilots his ship into the giant bell, powering up, only to be crushed by a moai head.
"Mrgrgr..." The pilot behind the pilot, Fumiko, fumes as the game over screen appears. "That was my last credit..." The Juuban middle-schooler - obvious from her uniform - half-twirled away from her game in a huff, not bothering to enter her initials after scoring on the leaderboard. After all, it was second to the bottom.
As her eyes readjust to the lighting after having stared at the screen, Fumiko seems to notice a familiar person. She calmly walks over to a racing game, and stares over her classmate's shoulder. Once she loses, Fumiko smiles and shakes her head. "Aww... too bad! That could have gone a little better, but at least you didn't hide at the back of the pack and get last place."
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Moping around isn't normally Niramo's way of dealing with failure. She oftens admits to her failure and bounces back quickly, but today has been draining. Just a moment to close her eyes and relax might be needed.
A moment is all Niramo gets before she hears someone comment from behind her and realizes she has an audience. Jumping forward with a start and almost sticking her face to the monitor in front of her, Niramo turns around and gives the watcher an annoyed frown before she catches herself. Isn't it...Fumiko? Yes, it wasn't her fault that she was so caught off guard like that. "Eheh, you saw that, right? I'm not doing as good as I usually do, but I still tried my best. That's what matters, right?"
Standing out of her chair, Niramo grabs her worn brown bookbag and hoists it onto her shoulder. Her middle school Juuban uniform is a little ruffled from her intense driving, but it's still looks clean. "I'm glad to see i'm not the only one relaxing in the Crown today. Are you having luck in your games, or running into bad luck too?"
<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Fumiko holds back a loud laugh at Niramo's reaction. She doesn't stop herself from laughing - she merely makes it a much quieter laugh, still audible but not going to grab the attention of the entire arcade. "Sorry, I didn't think you had those kind of reactions... Um... Niramo I believe?"
Trying one's best is what matters? On the one hand, there is definitely merit to that. On the other hand, results are important... no... this is just a game, these are just games for fun.
"What matters is not horribly crashing and burning at your best, and you managed to avoid that. But was that REALLY your best? If so, that's pretty terrible." She scoffs once, almost like a cough. "I don't mean how you did in the game. Not how you played, but HOW you played. Not... not that I've put 100% in today either," she finishes sheepishly.
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Light traces of red bloom on Niramo's cheeks at the soft laughter, but it's nothing to take offense at. She would likely have done the same thing if it was her in the other Juuban student's place. Bowing her head slightly and with her ponytail bouncing with the movement, she smiles in greeting. "That's correct! You're...um, Fumiko-san, right? I know that we haven't too much in class, but you seem to be doing great today." Fumiko did seem to be a little quieter in class today, anyways. Maybe there's something on her mind and that's why she's at the arcade?
Surprisingly Fumiko doesn't agree with how doing your best is all you need, and the pointed jab at her miserable performance in the driving arcade is an insult. Niramo's smile falters a little, but it didn't seem like to be mean spirited, at least. "We all have our off days and missteps, but we can always improve, right? I might just give this a second shot, and it can be a joined game." So Fumiko wants to know if that's really her best, even when she admits that she's not going all out today either?
A second racing cabinet next to the first is just waiting a second player to join in, and Niramo reaches into a small wallet (that's already lightened by earlier conquests of the machines) and pulls out a 100 yen coin and holds it aloft. "I'll even pay for your game since i'm offering. Besides, your 100% might not be in a space shooter game today!"
Now if only her 100% can make Social Studies easier to deal with! +ooc Also, Fumiko? Do you use Discord? I was going to save a log of tonight, but i'm missing the start of the scene now due to all that trouble.
<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
"That is correct! You remember me? Huh." Fumiko seems quite surprised. She wasn't very much on the radar, as of lately. Hopefully Niramo remembers only good things about her, as she has been trying to build up a... better reputation than she might not have had once.
Her jabs at Niramo's attempts paid off! Fumiko grins wider, more energetic and fired up than she ever is in class. "Ha! Perfect! You can't give up that easily! Maybe what you need is someone REAL- oh."
She then blushes and looks away. "Look at me lose it like this... and I don't even have any more money to take you on, sorry." Then Niramo offers to pay her game so they can challenge each other, and Fumiko's face gets redder. "Y-you don't have to do that... I can't take money from someone like that... that's yours..."
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Fumiko is known for being a bit of a prankster and troublemaker in class, nothing major or dangerous but it's been enough to warrant caution around her unless you end up a victim of one of her latest pranks. Lately though, her not-so-harmless jokes have been coming less and less. Someone might feel that it is the calm before the storm strikes, but to Niramo...it doesn't feel like that. Maybe her classmate is trying to turn over a new leaf? It did throw Niramo off to meet her here at the arcade, but this might be a good chance to see for herself!
Niramo does try to hide her competitive streak while around others, often saving it for in private and being alone with Takk. Helping classmates and friends with their own progress is what she often does. Every once in a while though, the need to prove herself to others does come out, and Fumiko was flipping the switch! It's just an invitation to play a game, so it wouldn't be too harmful--
And just like that, Fumiko Inoue's attitude does an 180 degree turn and leaves Niramo blinking at the taller Juuban girl, trying to recover. Offering to pay for someone's first game is something she often does to break the ice with someone she meets at the arcade, but Fumiko was treating it like it was a big deal. Was it a prank or was she trying to get something? But Niramo's offered first, so that can't be it.
Then again, she doesn't remember Fumiko being friends with anyone, inside the classroom or all of Juuban. Maybe this is something new for her?
Smiling gently, she steps forward and pushes the coin into Fumiko's hands. "It's not taking money if i'm offering it first! I don't have to pay for the first game, but i'm going to do it anyways. Why? It's a nice thing to do and maybe we can show this game how to race while we're having fun." Stepping back, Niramo makes an exaggerated bowing motion with her hands towards the second console and lets her smile morph into a full grin. "And if we're not feeling out best today, maybe we can do it working together then?"
<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Fumiko... was definitely not used to friendship. Last time she almost had a friend, she ruined things big time. And accepting money feels wrong, like she's once again taking advantage of someone. But...
Fumiko suddenly has her hand wrapped around a coin, and listening to Niramo's words. She nods softly, her focus and resolve returning. "You make an excellent point. Besides, I'm helping by giving you some REAL competition, not just poor AI compensating by cheating. I'll pay you back that way. And maybe working together... that could be interesting too." She inserts the coin with a satisfying click. "Just try to keep up," she teases.
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Even as Niramo manages to convince Fumiko to join her for one race, a small part of her is looking at her classmate and figuring out her reaction from earlier. Fumiko did seem rather embarrased by how she might be taking money from Niramo, even when she offered it without any prompting. Did something happened in the past or did the ravenette accidently bring up some bad memories?
With a mental shake of her head, Niramo jumps off that train of thought before it can go too much further. Perhaps spending time around Kasagami and Ye-jin is starting to make her overthink things a little.
Seeing the other Juuban student's fingers wrap around the coin and pluck it from her fingers brings her back to reality. A corner of her mouth raises slightly in a smirk, and Niramo giggles as Fumiko's drive comes back. Playing with others, be it electronic, board or physical games, Niramo usually holds herself back so that everyone can have a good time. A gut feeling was telling Niramo that if she trys that with Fumiko, she would likely get annoyed than anything else. It might be a good idea to cut loose every once in a while!
"A computer ignoring the rules it sets for the player isn't a fair challenge for anyone, but that's the idea with playing with another person. I like to see the AI try the same tricks with the both of us racing each other." Sitting back down in the vancated blue chair, Niramo retrieves another 100 yen coin and sets her bookbag aside again. She stares at the screen for a moment before giving the racing challenger a coy look. "And that's funny. Shouldn't you be trying to keep up with me?"
Win or lose, the upcoming race looks like it's going to be interesting.
<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
After recovering from her lapse in confidence, Fumiko was ready to accept Niramo's challenge. It is only right to do so, after all. She can't back down just because of a little awkwardness. Her confident, almost arrogant expression returns, real fire in her eyes. She isn't faking confidence or competitiveness. She places her hands on the steering wheel and sits down, ready for action.
Fumiko nods at Niramo's words about the AI. "Let's break these bots," she replies. But Niramo's ending retort elicits a tightening of her hands around the plastic steering wheel, and a half-joking glare. "You think so, eh? Well... we'll see~"
Fumiko scans through the characters, and spots an odd sight. Is that a snake driving a go-kart? Steering with its mouth? Would it be pressing the pedals with its tail? Fumiko knows who she has to choose.
<Pose Tracker> Niramo Umokeshi [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
A threatening glare breaks her composure, elicting a burst of giggles at Fumiko. The tightening of the steering wheel isn't missed by dark green eyes, and it only makes it seem funnier to Niramo. Not in a sort of threatening or joking manner, but just at the joy of it. After the day she's had today, it feels more refreshing to laugh at their antics than any games have managed to do in the last hour. "Oh no, Fumiko-san. I don't think so, I know so. As soon as your hands touched that steering wheel, your fate was sealed."
Just for a moment, Niramo is able to keep a straight face before it's ruined by another burst of soft laughter. Trying to be all mysterious just didn't fit her there! Just because she's not planning on losing doesn't mean that she has to be completely serious as well.
Going through the character select menu this time, the ravenette quickly selects her usual choice by now. The scarred biker mouse that would look more threatening if he wasn't trying to look threatening in a racing kart two sizes too big for him. And Fumiko is picking the hot rod racing snake? This couldn't be more of a mismatched duo about to compete with each other, but it's just how silly this racing game is.
"May the karts be in our favor, Fumiko-san." Eyes flicker over to see what Fumiko's reaction before they stare back at the screen. Now isn't the time to get distracted with making sure her classmate is enjoying herself, the race is about to start!
"Ready!...Set!..."
<Pose Tracker> Fumiko Inoue [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.
Fumiko's eyes blaze, her comptetive spirit on fire as Niramo taunts her. Then her new racing rival bursts out laughing quietly, and Fumiko herself can't hold back. "Well you... ha... you're going to... fwaha... you're going to see how one can... ch-change her.. f-fate...fwahaha dang it!"
She quickly refocuses when choosing her character. And Niramo chooses... that one? Is this some kind of backwards taunt, or did she not notice the significance of her choice? Either way, Fumiko is not going to let it past.
"You sure a mouse is the best one to go up against a snake? Are you admitting you're my prey and this race is mine~?" She flashes what she tries to make a menacing grin, but isn't quite that intimidating.
In contrast, once Fumiko turns back to the screen, she goes almost completely blank. Only the intense look in her eyes and the tight squeeze of the wheel give anything away.
"Ready..."
"Set..."
"GO!"
