003 // Action + Video

[actsmagnificent]

[ 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.

Comments

[incousinswithyou]

[oh, Haruka. One step at a time.]

I'll accept that apology. [see? She's so magnanimous.

And wow, half of her pastry is already gone. When did that happen?

...Tease all you want, she'd rather action over this moping. And to get there, they're going to need to finish breakfast.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka will never object to action over moping. She only ever mopes about the future, anyway, and the only way to overcome the future is to make it become the present. Michiru is such a clever lady.

So she laughs and pops a bite of her own breakfast into her mouth. ] I feel better already.

[ And will continue to eat, sipping her tea between bites. It's a very pretty day out here. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[sipping at her tea and finishing up her food. She is also totally ignoring that laugh and pretending she didn't just inhale her breakfast. Waiting on you, dear.]

I'm glad to hear that.

[how much did you buy, anyway?]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Enough that we could each have several, if you wanted. If you're feeling a light breakfast we can save it for snacks or the child but sshhhh that's spoiling who would do that. Haruka sips deeply from her mug - she has to at least finish her tea since the cups are on loan - and peers in the bag. They've got a whole morning in front of them, technically, and it's good for her not to rush.....but she can't deny she's curious. What all can she do now? ]

Should we save the rest?

[incousinswithyou]

Let's.

[maybe World Shaking would like a snack. And she'll be finishing up her own tea and getting back up once you're done. Alright, let's return these things. You can even say bye to whatever cutie is in there.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ You're so generous, Michiru. Haruka will scoop up both mugs and do just that, and if she leaves with a free chocolate coronet in one hand that the girl'd been waiting to give to her, well, these things do happen sometimes. The world is congratulating her for evolving.

The trip to the Habitat is otherwise uneventful, though when they take the lift up to the Ground level, Haruka gets lost in thought again. She's facing straight ahead, thinking about how best to test her powers (especially since Ground-types are immune to Flying-type moves), and rises onto the balls of her feet without realizing she's doing it. She doesn't look upset anymore, however. Just thoughtful. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[guess you better find somemon whose trust won't get too shattered if you attacked them.

And there's a bit of mild regret for her interrupted sleep, now that you're more contemplative than not. Mm. Good thing she likes you, relatively speaking.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Don't worry, Michiru. Haruka will find a way to make it up to you.

The door opens onto a dusty plain, with crags of rocks here and there as makeshift "mountains" but also plenty of loose earth for digging; there's holes and tracks scattered around from burrowing Pokémon traveling through. Despite this, Haruka strides right on out without watching her step, naturally avoiding the pitfalls. She's been coming here for years. She's used to it.

Now, where did her Rhyhorn go... ]

They moved the racing pen. [ She has to pause for a Drillbur who's come up for air in front of her; when he pops back into the ground she keeps walking. ] Someone complained they weren't getting enough natural light...

[ And there it is: a fence separating one section of the floor from the others. If she were here alone, Haruka'd just hop the fence; since she's not, let's find the gate. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[she isn't here as often, but heaven forbid Michiru Kaioh trip or lose her footing thanks to stray poke-potholes.]

I would've assumed they'd save that sort of thought for the Grass types.

[geez, this is a lot of dirt.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka shrugs. ] It simulates desert.

[ She takes a pastry from their package of breakfast food and holds it, ready to go, in her hand, as she nods to the staff member at the gate and then looks around for her Pokémon. Could you come to the gate for a second? she asks mentally (though really it's more like "gate, food, visit") - World Shaking is the only Pokémon whose mind she feels comfortable directly touching with the bond. He prefers that method of training. It makes him feel secure.

He's also apparently thrilled, because there's a dust cloud thundering up now with such fervor that only his racing reflexes have him stopping in time. Haruka is here! As is....

World Shaking turns his head to Michiru and snorts, trying to get a bead on her scent. Oh, it's that human! He likes that one, too. In fact, he'll wander over to greet her first. Hello. You're a surprise. Will you pat his horn? ]

[incousinswithyou]

[nevermind, this is a lot of dirt.

Still, that's a real smile as she brings up a hand to pet the Rhyhorn.] Good morning to you, too.

[actsmagnificent]

[ The Rhyhorn makes a muffled, snuffly sound and stays put for pettins. He only has two settings: "planted like a rock" and "what sound barrier?". Haruka feeds him a pastry and gestures to the pen's handler that she'll be taking World Shaking out for a while. No point in disturbing the other racing Rhyhorn with her tests. ]

I got stronger today. [ She places a hand on the crest of his head - move slowly. Slowly. World Shaking sort of creaks when he moves slowly, but he obliges, lumbering out towards the plains. ] Michiru and I want to learn how strong I am. Do you want to help?

[ And that's a toss of his head. Strong is good. He...got that much. Haruka grins over his head at Michiru. ] Of course, Michiru is helping too.

[incousinswithyou]

[have a smirk in return] And here, I thought you just wanted the pleasure of my company.

[...it's almost cute how you baby World Shaking. Relatively speaking, in any case.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ That just gets a grin since Haruka has to focus on her Rhyhorn right now. He's a rock of fairly little brain, so working with him involves simple speech and patience. ] I'm going to try some new attacks. You can attack me back if you want to. I'll dodge.

[ World Shaking chews on this. So. What does he have to do again?

....Haruka sighs. ] Let me know if you feel any of this.

[ Oh. Oh okay. Haruka closes her eyes, feeling the Rhyhorn's emotions slide alongside hers in her mind: he's always let her completely in, so that when they're racing, when they're together, she feels what he feels and vice versa. In return, she lets him feel what she's feeling - resolve, with that core of excited tension still running through the back of her head. He doesn't understand that. He just thinks she's happy.

...Well. Haruka smirks to herself. Maybe she is, in spite of everything.

She opens her eyes and addresses Michiru. ] Should I demo or spar?

[incousinswithyou]

[made of rocks and fluff

Yup, this is cute.]

A demo first, I think, unless you think you can control it. [Rock is still weak against Ground.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka flicks Michiru just the slightest soldier look - she'll control it, she has to, this is her body, she's got this - but nods and stands up straight. World Shaking shifts at her side, witness to Haruka emptying her mind of everything but the new power inside of her. She is the wind. Flowing always forward, honed but free, letting nothing drag her down. She is the wind. And this is all just a part of her now.

Her hand whips forward so quickly even she can barely see it; an arc of something filed whistles through the air and slices through a rocky outcropping. Not giving herself time to react, she spins as if dodging an attack, crouches, launches herself into the air -

and the next thing she knows she's in the middle of what's left of the rock, having landed with perfect accuracy right in the middle of what's now a whole bunch of much smaller rocks. A roil of happiness flows through her mind from World Shaking, but she brushes it aside - yes, yes. She knows how much you love beating up on rocks.

Straightening, she dusts herself off. ] So much for Flying.

[incousinswithyou]

[heh. Well, now.] Consider me suitably impressed.

[...maybe you and World Shaking can start up a gravel business too]

i need icons of the op where sailor moon's head isn't in the way of uranus beating up the ground

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka smirks back - just a flashing moment of pure, cocky, calm confidence - and then examines her hands, returning to a clinical assessment of her new abilities. ] No marks. It must protect me somehow.

[ That's just as well. Much as she loves her Rhyhorn - and all Rhyhorn - she'd rather not end up with a carapace. It'd be a dead giveaway if anyone spotted her during Defense Force business. Besides, it's Utena who turns into a car.

She looks over at Michiru and World Shaking. ] Ready for something larger?

[ World Shaking rears on his hind feet before coming down with a stomp. He has only a vague idea of what's going on here, but things are being smashed. That makes it okay by him. ]

that would be a pretty awkward icon

[incousinswithyou]

I can take it.

[and that's one smooth step away from World Shaking, as wonderful as your Pokemon's enthusiasm is.]

there has to be at least one useable frame! there has to!

[actsmagnificent]

[ Hey, Haruka can stop that Rhyhorn on a dime with her mind. But the security is good. She takes a few of those deep, preparatory breaths again - and grins over at Michiru. ]

Then maybe I won't hold back this time.

[ Not that she'd been holding back when she ended up with a crater in the courtyard. Anything for the quip, okay? ]

....hope springs eternal. Considering how sailor moon is consistently floating across the screen.

[incousinswithyou]

Then I suppose you better show me.

[mm. Get on with it. Somebody's getting impatient, judging by that rearing and stomping.]

who knows....also how do you want to handle michiru's evolution? sparring haruka, npc hordes...?

[actsmagnificent]

[ Who, him? Impatient? Never. Look at him waiting so calmly, chewing gravel. What a magnificent creature.

But Haruka has an assessment to finish. Hm. When she'd tested just plain brute strength she'd ended up with a hole in the ground, so...if she tries to send power into the earth, what happens?

Facing away from Michiru and World Shaking (just in case), Haruka presses a hand against the dirt and concentrates. Energy shoots down her arm; she sucks in a breath, but controls it - go straight -

A crack in the ground shoots out from beneath her hand, spreading in a straight line in front of her until finally tapering into nothing. Haruka nods, satisfied. ] I knew it.

[ A passing Diglett pops up to examine the fissure. Never a dull moment in the Habitat! ]

HOW DO I KEEP DOING THAT

[incousinswithyou]

[lucky Diglett. That thing should've fainted.]

So you don't necessarily have to throw yourself at the enemy.

[........good thing the Ground Floor is on the ground floor.]

training bout sounds good to me~

[actsmagnificent]

[ She's caused enough property damage for one day without casualties, thanks. This is a conscientious attempt to wreck the environment.

Haruka smirks at that, though. ] Care to find out for yourself?

[ Knowing how to curb one's power is just as important as letting it loose. She'll know she's in control of this if she can successfully spar one of her two "assistants" here.

Or both. Depends on if Michiru thinks the Rhyhorn would get in the way. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Well, if you need my help...

[throw yourself at her all you want, actually.

Alright fine, so she'll step forward, automatically shifting into a more defensive stance.

Looks like she doesn't expect World Shaking to help out.]