bravenewworld | 012 // action - haruka's misfortunes, union edition

[ Haruka Tenoh is always learning new things. Today's lesson: don't walk your Rhyhorn when the roads are icy. It will slide out of control, sprain people's ankles, and you'll be responsible for picking up their slack on what would happen to be the busiest day of the year at their workplace.

On a completely unrelated note, this dairy booth in the market district appears to be doing a booming business! It's also completely pink - pink drapes, heart-shaped balloons attached to the poles, Miltank plushies lining the shelves, and a Rhyhorn wearing a pink blanket squatting outside with a basket of chocolate in its mouth. Behind the counter (assisted by a Wooper in a pink bow tie) is the most brilliantly handsome salesman ever to grace the street, advertising in a voice that could rattle a packed theater. (She's also wearing a pink apron and a baker's hat shaped like a Luvdisc. Today has a theme.) Her sales pitch goes something like this: ]

Step right up, ladies and gentlemen! What you see here's available for one day only: Luvdisc-shaped chocolate for the health of your romance! Strawberry Miltank milk for the health of your body! And, with a purchase of just twenty-five dollars or more, we'll throw in a special four-piece chocolate sampler as thanks for being our sweetest customers! How about it?!

[ A middle-aged woman walking her Snubbull approaches the vendor. Could she have some Miltank cheese and a Luvdisc chocolate, please? Haruka graces her with her very best Divine Theater smile. ] But of course, Madam. If that's what you desire...

[ The woman looks about ready to faint back onto her Snubbull. Haruka would also dearly love to lose consciousness right now. Why is she so good at this? It's absurd to think she might be naturally gifted at spouting nonsense!

At least she's only served strangers thus far. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Oh, Haruka! She didn't realize you had a shop here too. The blond smiles cheerfully at the other woman. ]

Everything looks so good, I'm not sure what to pick.

[ Oh gosh, it's Lux. She doesn't seem to have noticed anything out of place, though, so maybe Haruka can get through this with minimum embarrassment. The other woman might not even have recognized her!

She won't be the first to acknowledge they've met, then. Instead, she'll offer the other woman a chocolate sampler with a tiny flourish of her wrist. ] If you'll allow me to make a suggestion....

[ Smile. Wow she hopes Lux doesn't recognize her. ] ...the only thing sweeter than these are you.

[ She does, but doesn't seem to be making it terribly obvious just yet. Haruka you flatterer. Lux giggles a bit giddily, the smallest bit of a blush flushing her cheeks. That was sweet, really.

No pun intended. ]

Ohh, that does look nice. Although I don't know if he'll want something so extravagant. He's got pretty simple tastes.

I see. Then -

[ Haruka nods to Wooper, who kicks her a little basket across the counter. It's got a pink ribbon on the handle and is full of standard chocolate flavors. Haruka adds a cold strawberry Miltank milk from the icebox. ] How about variety? Keeps his life interesting.

[ Lux has somebody. That's....kind of cute, actually. ]

Yes, that's exactly what I'm looking for! Variety!

[ She smiles brighter than the sun. ]

Thank you, Haruka! This is perfect!

Hopefully he's -

[ Ah.

Ah.

Ahhhhhh.

Aaaaaaah. ] .....You knew.

Huh?

[ Lux looked generally confused. Hopefully he's what? Knew what?

Curious rainbow laser girl is curious. ]

[ Whoa Lux didn't realize this was a problem time to backpedal. ] ...Never mind.

[ A frantic look around for a subject change. ] --That's right, this is a present! Do you need special wrapping? A ribbon?

[ Of course she doesn't, she doesn't understand that you have a reputation to uphold. ]

Should I? I've never given someone a gift like this before.

[ More like a self-image, but. Yeah. She'll take this diversion regardless. Whoever is getting this is a lucky guy - Lux is cute, and Haruka doesn't just mean her face. ] Then let's make it match the occasion.

[ While putting a ribbon on the purchase: ] Though he's bound to like it anyway just because it's from you.

[ That gets a bright smile from Lux. She can tell she's in good hands here. ]

Thank you so much!

Woop woop! [ No, thank you! Wooper may be joining in late to this hospitality thing, but he'll do his best.

Haruka hands over the now-gussied-up present. Right, that's this mysterious gentleman taken care of, so now - ] Anything for you?

[ Lux blinks a few times, looking a bit surprised. ]

For me?

[ She hadn't really thought of getting anything for herself. ]

[ Hey, now. ] They aren't just gifts, you know.

Woop! [ Wooper taps his feet against the display counter. There's all this good stuff!! ]

[ She only came with Ezreal in mind, although getting something for herself might not be a bad idea. Although with her terrible sweet tooth, she was liable to buy the whole place out. ]

Let's see... What about those?

[ She points toward some particularly cute-looking chocolates. ]

Are they any good?

[ Hey, save some for Haruka. She wants to take a box of chocolates home to Michiru in relief the other woman didn't spot her doing this. ~~Or so she thinks.~~

She pulls out the indicated goods. ] I wouldn't sell bad chocolate.

[ And, holding up one piece at a time: ] Nuts or fruit?

[ She smiles somewhat mareepishly. ]

Right, of course not. Hmm.

Let's try fruit.

Coming right up. [ Aaand there we go. Four-pack of fruit chocolate for Lux, too.

The bow she's put on this one is purely for ~~fan~~ customer service. ]