bravenewworld | 003 // Action + Video

[ The city is burning.

Strange, then, that Haruka can't hear any screams. She can't hear anything, in fact - it's as if the world has gone utterly silent in preparation for its inevitable end. Buildings crumble unnaturally, from the ground up, and she can see the waves of fire spreading, heading towards the populace, frozen in time - she struggles to move and can't, even as the flames near a clump of civilians, near a girl with pigtails, no, not her, for some reason not her -

And then she wakes up in a cold sweat, scattering Sewaddle from where he'd fallen asleep on her chest; he curls up into a ball and rolls off the bed. The dreams have never been that vivid before. She's never had that kind of detail. Does that mean something's about to happen, or....what's going on....?

It's then she notices her hands are shaking, not from fear but some kind of heady mix of adrenaline and - power, isn't it, she feels stronger despite what she just witnessed. Her breath is still coming short from the dream, but Haruka feels a grin tugging her lips. Something's happened, all right. And if something else is going to happen - she's become more prepared for it. ]

[ Apologies to anyone who might happen to be up and about near the Divine Theater compound already. Extra apologies to anyone who lives around there and was trying to get some sleep. A newly-evolved Haruka (looking just about the same, but a bit broader about the shoulders and even more inexplicably stunning) has just decided to test her new powers by punching the ground in the outside courtyard.

Every building on the property shook, and now there's a huge crater. ] ...well, that answers that question.

[ Union really does have an Earthquake problem, huh. ]

[ video ]

The Union Divine Theater would like to reassure the populace that this morning's events were an anomaly. We're testing effects for our new show. [ Okay, so this isn't exactly an explicit apology, or an admission she was in the wrong. But Haruka's making up for the inconvenience with an extremely attractive smile, so isn't that okay? ] It'll be stunning.

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Never better. [ She sounds almost like she can't believe that, running a hand through her hair and exhaling. ] Sorry to disturb you. I can go....

[ Or she can try to get her head in the game again. Right. Good. Be the wind. Center yourself.

She looks away, still distracted. ]

[Some things are more important than early morning training sessions. She shakes her head.]

Did you do that? What did you do?

[ There is no beating around the bush here, is there. She was going to have to turn a report in anyway, and while she'd rather wait until she can give a full assessment (and her insides have finished settling) there's one thing she does know.

That fist clenches. ]

Evolved, apparently. Comes with new moves.

[That would explain a few things. But did you really have to punch a hole in the ground...]

The groundskeeper won't be too happy...

[Still, she looks impressed. She herself had evolved yet said nothing about it, the changes as she had seen them much more subtle.]

Mm. [ She may or may not be listening. In fact, she's pausing, lost in her own thoughts, and then - ]

You were practicing, right?

[She looks surprised, but recovers quickly with a smile.]

Yes! I come out here every morning to practice my stances. The early morning air is good for clearing one's head.

[ She knew she liked you for a reason. Your diligence is cute, and you like the air. ]

Mind if I join you?

[ There is such casual innocence contained in this question it's like the crater's an optical illusion or something. ]

[She looks both surprised and fairly happy.]

Of course!

[ Haruka smiles and falls alongside Sakura; she'll be led back wherever Sakura usually trains. This is good. With Sakura here, she knows she won't let herself lose control of her new powers. ] Don't worry about me. Practice however you usually would.

[ She herself is mostly planning on deep breathing, self-focusing exercises, to get centered again after this sudden outburst of power knocked her off-guard. And if she feels it welling up, well - she'll release it.

You trust her, right? ]

All right.

[She goes back down into a crouching position, starting with a bit of deep breathing. A faint aura gathers around her, properly contained despite being very close to spilling over.]

[ Good girl. Haruka watches for a moment before closing her own eyes. She'd acted without thinking after waking up. She has to center herself and grow accustomed to this new power, too: not let it make her overconfident, but also not be afraid of it. It has to just be a part of herself. Just like she's always considered her abilities.

She has to flow. She has to become the wind.

Haruka's eyelashes flutter, and her head tips back; the sunlight dances through her bangs and spills onto her cheeks. It's a lovely morning. ]

[Still focusing and not yet opening her eyes, she manages to keep her aura contained, even while speaking.]

I come out here every morning, around six.

[Spoken as if, if Haruka wanted, she could help teach the other woman to control her new found power.]

Early riser.

[ Thanks for the unspoken offer, but she's good. Independence is part of the charm here.

Which is not to say she isn't impressed by what's happening next to her; far from it. From what little she can pick up just by standing next to Sakura, the girl doesn't just work hard memorizing her lines.

...Huh. This is new. Haruka opens her eyes and finds she's glowing now, too. Status boost move? Not bad. They close again. A little more... ]

003 // Action + Video

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