This is totally not a lazy log

[makeitquick]

Who: Melaka and Haruka
What: That lunch Haruka won
When: ??? probably during or after Soulfasting
Where: A somewhat upscale diner and The Lucky Punch

[ So Melaka had issued an open challenge to people a while back with the offer to buy a meal for anyone who won against her. And theoretically for them to buy one for her if she won. Either way, it's been delayed a fair bit over all, but... Well, either way, time for the lunch with Haruka.

So Melaka contacted her, told her to place, and they would meet up there for a lunch. Simple. Easy. Not a date. Not going to be complicated by something or another. Hopefully it won't be awkward for her. Could even be fun. ]

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka can respect that. So she'll answer the question as best she can. Her smile's a bit introspective as she attempts. ] Let's see. I discovered something only I could do.

[ A quick pause to gather more thoughts. ] If I passed up that chance, I'd be denying the opportunity to be fully myself. So I accepted it.

[ She grins. Too obtuse? ] Or something.

[makeitquick]

[ Oh. Well that's... super vague, actually. But either way, she arches an eyebrow ]

So acting's your secret calling, huh?

[actsmagnificent]

You could say that. [ The plays themselves are ridiculous. But there's a hint of self-satisfaction in the way she's carrying herself all the same.

Well, uh. More so than usual.

Their drinks look like they're on the way here, though, so Haruka looks over with a grin for the server. Looks good! ]

[makeitquick]

[ Oh, fair enough there. She huffs a little here, and gives her own thanks for the drinks arriving too. She gives a smile for Haruka before taking her first sip ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka sips too, wondering if she should bring up the dream. It was a strange day - a strange two weeks, in fact, and enough to make her wonder whether Melaka encountered a god too (how widespread were those interrogations?). Worth a shot.

She swirls her drink around before setting down her cup. ] You did ride well, earlier.

[makeitquick]

Thanks. [ So she did remember that dream. Melaka brushes back some of her bangs, a bit unnecessarily again, and then admits: ] Never done it on a Rhyhorn before. But being in the dream of someone good at it probably helped me.

[ So that was her dream, right? Had to be ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka grins, not bothering to downplay her own talents. They're a fact; why should she? More importantly, if Melaka's a Ranger, then... ] What's your usual mount?

[ It's possible to Range on foot, she supposes. But a Pokémon would make that easier, right? ]

[makeitquick]

Been on foot most of my time, but I've been working with the Doku-Duku duo lately... [ Okay, she should. Okay this is mildly embarrassing but- ] ... Ever heard of a Dunsparce?

[ As far as she knows, they're pretty rare. ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Hm. A new species to her. That's worth hearing about. Haruka leans forward a bit, intrigued. Anything mountable is cool by her. ] Enlighten me.

[makeitquick]

Hah. Alright, let's see if I can't describe them. ... Kinda close in size to Rhyhorns, maybe a little smaller than the average one 'cus they're lower to the ground. Move kinda like an Ekans or those other snake-things, no feet like - but they have a drill at the end of the tail. Also got little wings on 'em, but they aren't big enough to fly. [ She shrugs ] I fig they must get bigger ones when they evolve or something.

[ Oh, how little she knows... ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ baby ;a; Haruka's not great at visualizing, but she does her best given the detailed description. Large flightless winged snake with a drill tail. That's....distinctive.

She nods along. ] Sounds sturdy. Does it make good time?

[makeitquick]

Probably not the best ever, but faster they I expected. Dukuduku [ Man it feels weird to say that name ] is a particular-like guy in terms of being determined. Even if he's not the fastest, I've had the guy go over more terrain types than I figured a snake-thing would.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka has a Leavanny she only ever calls "the bug" rather than admit she saddled it with "Natto". It's cool. ] I guess you both see a lot on patrol.

[ Going over all those types of terrain, and all.... ]

[makeitquick]

Yeah. Only met him recently - kind's native to the flatlands around the Citadel and all.

[ And she shrugs at this ] Honestly, just getting used to riding.

[actsmagnificent]

Are there ruins or anything that far north? [ Haruka sips her drink, then laughs. ] Sorry. Play research. I shouldn't impose like that.

[ Thank you, theater. ]

[makeitquick]

Oh, huh - let me think a bit.

[ And she reaches up to run her fingers in the hair she's got up behind her head. She's pondering - it's a different movement than when she runs it on her scar. ] For a while there I was scouting it hard. Mapping and such... no big ones stand out other than the Citadel itself...

[ Wait- oh. She knocks her knuckles against the counter as she gets it ] Swamps edge! There's signs of old civilization out there. See some basic roads with stuff growing over them, stuff like that. Might just be leading to the big site at swamp's heart, though.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka wonders for a moment if that's the direction whence Heatran originally came, but the swamp definitely sounds like the wrong elements. She looks fascinated, though. That's really useful information. ] You like your job.

[ There's that smile again. Haruka used Dazzling Gleam! ]

[makeitquick]

[ Between the smile and it being pointed out so frankly - her hand lowers and she takes hold of her glass - but she smiles. giggles, even. It's a bit different from how she's usually a bit choppy with her sentences. Still ]

Well, like to be useful to Union.

[actsmagnificent]

Then we're lucky to have you. [ She raises her glass for a toast. ] To discovery.

[ The look on her face says "To Melaka" instead, though. ]

[makeitquick]

[ Hahah okay, she'll take that - she raises her glass too ] To discovery!

[ She doesn't exactly miss that look. But she does ignore it. Either way, it's about time for them to make the actual orders of foot, as witnessed by the fact staff is back ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Would you look at that. Haruka orders half a sandwich and a salad - plenty of greens for the athlete - and grins over at Melaka. Casual dining is nice once in a while, too. ] Did you have any plans after this?

[makeitquick]

[ Salad and some dried berries, here. But plans after- ] Not really.

[ Wait. ]

[actsmagnificent]

That's a relief. [ The server heads off to place their orders, and Haruka peers out the window. ] This is a new area for me. Pity to leave without a tour, right?

[makeitquick]

[ That was not in the original deal. She almost, almost says that - but then a little smile comes up on her lips, unbidden, and she nods ]

If it's that much of a relief, guess I can't turn you down.

[actsmagnificent]

Sorry to impose. [ She doesn't look sorry. She looks amused and pleased. Why not? ]