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]

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? ]

[makeitquick]

Don't look it. Look all kinds of pleased.

[ She sips her drink and finishes the glass, leaning forward a bit ] Ah'm so used.

[actsmagnificent]

Mm? [ Either Haruka didn't catch that or she wants to hear you continue to talk. Still happy over here. ]

[makeitquick]

[ Wow that was an amazing joke on her part thank you very much. But put on the spot, she flushes a little before saying again and shaking her head ]

Guess if I'm labored in, I'll labored does. Work ethics, and all.

[actsmagnificent]

[ And that's why the Rangers are lucky to have you. Haruka sips at her drink. ] What all's around here?

[makeitquick]

Midling shops and diners. Richest that I'll ever be able to work with and less than anyone more wealthy's ever gonna wanna go. We're not fair off from the main district though, and kinda nearing the heart of gambling country.

[ she considers, and then nods, yeah, this seems fair to say ] Basically, s'point where people have money, but they're not used to keeping it.

[actsmagnificent]

[ That sounds like a fair assessment indeed. And also a society with which Haruka has absolutely zero experience, but she supposes she'll roll with it. ] You don't mince words.

[makeitquick]

'M just recently joining it.

[ The society here, that is. She's smiling a little in spite of herself, prideful ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka smiles back. This is a big deal to you, huh? ] Then we can explore it together.

[makeitquick]

[ Very big. She was raised poor, by her older sister because her parents weren't around very early in their lives. They parted ways almost five years ago now, and she'd been on her own since, arguably worse off than she was then. To have earned herself even this far... it's an achievement for her, a deeply surreal thing. and. ]

S-sure. [ Wait. She- okay whatever... ] Yeah, that sounds. Nice. Nice-like.

[actsmagnificent]

I'm glad. [ She won't press for any information. She's just happy you're happy.

And sipping this drink like she belongs here, too. Despite basically being a shiny human... ]

[makeitquick]

[ You mean she isn't shiny...

But now, there's a lull of silence. Melaka would fill it with more, but she doesn't know what to say. It's not necessarily an uncomfortable silence though, which is what stands out to her more than anything. Either way, if Haruka doesn't make conversation, then it'll pass, and their food will arrive, which Melaka greets with a "thank you" for the servor despite not making eye contact ]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Oh, you're shining, Skitty. And Haruka's basking in the glow.

It doesn't take long for the food to arrive, and Haruka grins, breaking the comfortable silence. ] How's the Excadrill?

[ Sky will want to hear about her friend. ]

[makeitquick]

[ Good thank everything food. But- ] Sasha? Sasha's fine. Same as ever-

[ Wait, oh, she means for the bear! Melaka blinks, and then clarifies ] 'Ctually, we went and trained in that Dream World, her and I. Well, and others, but her.

[actsmagnificent]

Takes an adventurous soul to head back in there. [ Haruka hasn't tried. She looks interested, though. ] Did it go well?