001 // Video + Action

[actsmagnificent]

Video

[ Here's somebody the network doesn't see often - but whose ridiculously attractive, androgynous face ends up on the occasional poster around town anyway. It's Haruka Tenoh, headlining actress for the Union Divine Theater and the general go-to girl when your show needs, well, a guy. And apparently she has a special message for everyone. ]

Yo, Union citizens! Things have been a little hectic lately, huh? Unusual people are visiting our town, and lots of new Trainers are getting their start. [ An extra-special smile for said new Trainers. It sure is nice to be sweet, and optimistic, and young. ] Best of luck to you all.

During the bustle, why not relax with us for a while? The Union Divine Theater'll be putting on a performance soon. I'm thrilled to be playing opposite a brand new leading lady, so come give her a hand. We'll let nothing stand in the way of your entertainment.

See you there!

[ Haruka offers one more smile before she ends the feed, having neglected to give any pertinent information like the name of the play, or the dates, or the times. But more importantly - did the air around her just sparkle? ]

Action

[ Rather than, y'know, rehearsing for said performance, Haruka is spending her afternoon in the Flying-type level of the Pokémon Habitat. She's brought a fencing foil with her and is currently thrusting it into the air repeatedly, attempting to score a touch on a Pidgey and a Murkrow who insist on hovering just out of her reach. The brash energy of her attitude is a direct contrast to her easy-going broadcast. ]

Faster! I nearly clipped you that time! Rushing Wind, eyes on the target!

[ Chastised, the Pidgey flaps harder, trying to get into a good position to strike. The Murkrow takes this moment to laugh at his companion, and earns a foil to the beak for his trouble. Training this pair could take a while. ]

Comments

[threemoms]

[ Guess who is decidedly not practicing with Haruka?

Yup. Hotaru's still under watch or something like that, which means she has to be with one of the adults, but that doesn't mean she's going to join in something pointless like this. Instead, she's hanging back, sitting down and messing with her warp band.

Life was boring, grab a Snickers.

Except they didn't invent Snickers yet. Jeez, Union City, get with the program. ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ It's not the most orthodox training method, no, but it's not so intense that Haruka can't also keep the back of her mind occupied with observing Hotaru. Having the kid around hasn't been as bad as she'd thought it might be, but Haruka's still a far cry from trusting her.

She's starting to realize she's got a lot to learn about child-rearing, however. Even if she's not sure they're keeping the child. ]

Did you forget your book?

[ She's not sure whether Hotaru reads for pleasure, though. She's not sure Hotaru does anything for pleasure...

...oh, nice recovery, Murkrow. He nearly got within six inches of her that time before being swatted back. One thing at a time really is more Haruka's style. ]

[threemoms]

[ Hotaru glances up as Haruka's Pokémon almost tags her. ]

Shouldn't you be concentrating on that?

....And I finished that book. [ It's not like she has a lot of books, okay. Yet. ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka smirks. ] Studious girl.

[ And then she's back to snapping at her Pokémon. This is nothing. She could totally hold a conversation and keep her Pokémon at bay if she wanted to, except she's never quiiiite sure what to say to Hotaru. Might as well show the girl she means business, though. ] Rushing Wind, what did I tell you?!

[ That Pidgey is lagging pretty bad. She looks exhausted, but she's doing her very best to avoid Haruka's strikes. Striking back, however, doesn't really look like it's in the cards. ]

video

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru's indulging in her other hobby, pallet and brush in hand. The Budew's sitting in her lap while the Ralts continues to monitor the new interloper with unabated suspicion. Her warp band's on a nearby table, presumably to avoid paint splatter.

Have a sidelong glance for a moment.] You certainly seemed into it.

video

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka shrugs. Okay, she thinks the announcements are silly and so are the plays. Which is just fine and dandy for people who haven't been tasked with staving off the apocalypse, etc, but she's been over all that before so she'll table it. ] That's why it's called acting.

[ And speaking of, she nods at the brush. ] Set design?

[incousinswithyou]

[that gets a smile] And here, I was almost convinced otherwise.

[turning her attention back to the canvas] No, but it's as good an excuse as any.

[as if she even bothers to find a reason to skip rehearsal.

...how are these two even part of a theater troupe]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Oh, really? Haruka makes an intrigued noise. ] I must be getting better if I can almost deceive your eyes.

[ Not that what they're called upon do to onstage can really be called "acting". It mostly involves posing, singing, looking dramatic, and stating cryptic nonsense as if it's the most portentous thing Haruka will ever have to say.

So really, the only part that's a stretch for her is the singing. ]

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

[Don't fangirl you are just as much of a performer as she is. She just looks ridiculously attractive doing it. Don't. Fangirl.]

I really picked the right time to sign up with the theater, huh Miss Tenoh? I haven't seen you on stage in a while.

[Crap that was probabl fangirling. Just...don't squeak then.]

[Video]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Even if you squeaked, Haruka wouldn't care. Heck, she'd probably think it was cute. You're getting quite the grin as it is. ]

The feeling's mutual. Hearing someone as talented as you'd joined up was a pleasant surprise.

[Video]

[celebrity_commentator]

Oh, really, I'm just a beginner when it comes to acting. Singing, I'm a lot more confident with, but I'm hoping I'll learn a lot either way.

[Video]

[actsmagnificent]

So you're aiming for personal growth?

[ That's always a good sign. ]

Video

[footprints_on_your_face]

Th-thanks!

[Chie's a new trainer, so at least part of that message was sort of addressed to her, right? And you thank people for saying nice things, right? Especially cute guys, right? Right.]

Uh, so, when's the show?

Video

[actsmagnificent]

[ ....shoot, when is the show. Haruka winks. ] Stay tuned.

You're one of the new Trainers, right? Congratulations.

Video

[footprints_on_your_face]

[Chie isn't the swooning type, but she does blush and fluster pretty easily. So that's pretty much the reaction Haruka's getting in response to the wink.]

Y-yeah! Thanks! Oh, I already said thanks before, didn't I...

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka laughs. To be fair, she'd greeted new Trainers before, too. ]

How's it going so far?

[Action]

[notthatjason]

[She's not the only one hanging out in the Flying-type level. Jason's there too. Ever since the island he'd been working with his bird types in the hopes that they could get strong enough to start flying with him to the island. They seemed happy with the training and they'd worked so hard that Piper had actually managed to evolve to Fletchinder.

Of course, now the birds were taking a break and watching THIS version of training. Jason noticed his birds distracted looks and followed their gaze.]

What's going on?

[Piper trills and ruffles her wings. She wants Jason to see this.]

Huh. They're moving pretty good. Think you two could dodge like that?

[Venti and Piper both puff out their chests. Just try them, Jason.]

[Action]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka hears the conversation behind her but, intent on her own training, doesn't turn around. He's welcome to try this method if he'd like. How this person trains his Pokémon isn't necessarily her concern.

That said, she's smirking as she flicks her gaze back to her own Pokémon, and the thrusts become more intense. The two birds have to dodge sideways more often; Murkrow even ends up doing a somersault in midair. Far be it from Haruka to show off, but if he's thinking about imitating her he should know what he's getting into. ]

I'm attacking next! Last stretch!

[ The Pidgey is panting, but she keeps her head up. ]

[Action]

[notthatjason]

[Jason doesn't pick up on the fact that the other heard him. He just decides to continue watching as the intensity of it increases. He's always been fascinated by sword work and is kind of envious of her apparent ease with the fencing foil.

The birds are also entranced by the movements. Piper and Ventus exchange looks, they're really going to have to step their game up if they want to be half that good.]

[Action]

[actsmagnificent]

[ To be fair, Rushing Wind is pretty much only staying in the air out of sheer pigheadedness. The Murkrow, however, knows he has an audience and has begun to show off. (He and his new Trainer might have more in common than either will admit.)

They can't last much longer, though, so Haruka knows it's time for the grand finale. ] Heads up!

[ Thrusting with the foil, she pivots her body suddenly and whips a Gust attack at both of them. The birds go tumbling head-over-heels, but right themselves quickly. Haruka nods, satisfied, and lowers her foil. ] All right. Take a break.

[ The birds pant gratefully and flap off to where water dishes have been set on pedestals - giant birdfeeders for giant Pokémon. Haruka dabs her cheeks lightly with a towel slung around her shoulders, then turns to her observer. ]

Did you need something?

[border_of_phantasm]

You are a performer then?

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka blinks in mock surprise. ]

That was harsh. I thought all pretty girls knew about the Union Divine Theater.

[ Video ]

[makeitquick]

[ Wow. That person there makes it look effortless, and she's drawn in by it immediately. So... ]

What's the production even about?

[ Video ]

[actsmagnificent]

Trade secret. But, since you're so interested -

[ The sunlight gets brighter. Oh, wait, no. Haruka's smiling, that's all. ]

There's romance.

[ Video ]

[makeitquick]

[ . . . You know usually not her thing for some reason she now feels weirdly compelled. Wow ]

Oh. [ Wait that sound stupid, hold on - ] Been a long time since I saw a play.