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

[actsmagnificent]

[ 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. ]

Comments

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[ The apocalypse has nothing on the sense of doom hanging over Haruka's head right now. Thank you for this new experience.

She soldiers on, though, with a smile, leaning over to peer at the Petilil. ] Aren't you brave, blossoming in the cold. What can I get you?

[ This prompts a lecture from the lady, sensing an Interested Party, on the care and keeping of Grass-types in the winter months. Petilil makes soft mewing sounds every now and then for emphasis. Haruka nods along, unable to work the conversation back to shopping.

By the time the woman leaves, happily carrying a basket of cheese and a bottle of strawberry Miltank milk while Petilil carefully sips from a little cup of water, Haruka could plant a garden if she were so inclined. She sighs. Poor lady must be lonely...and yet. Her timing. ] Don't say it.

[ Whatever Michiru was going to say. Don't. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Why would I say anything about your ability to sweet talk older women? [and younger women. And women in general.

Though she can't say anything about the Petilil. Heck, she wouldn't be surprised to come home and find Lulu sporting rosebud cozies.]

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[ Natto takes care of all his friends, yes. And Haruka has to blink back a bit of rosiness herself. It's part of the job, she swears....

...but saying so sounds like whining. She checks on Super Beauty and Carol. The Rhyhorn isn't stuck to anything again, which is encouraging. This has been a long day.

Conversationally: ] I promised to work here till sundown.

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[Carol might be performing a few choreographed poses in front of the store and asking Wooper for suggestions.

There we go.] That's rather generous of you, volunteering your time like that.

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[ This pleases Wooper. Does this Corsola like theater?

Haruka laughs. ] You know me....

[ Her and her volunteer spirit. Or maybe her spirit of something else entirely.

She looks back at Michiru. The other woman didn't watch her run into the actual shopkeeper, did she? Is she that omniscient? ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Corsola laughs awkwardly, but then sort of agrees. Yes, she...maybe does?

Michiru just sits there, waiting. Her smile might get a bit wider, but she's clearly expecting something.]

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Woop woop! [ Wooper dances in excitement. Singing and dancing are his favorite parts of theater. Are they yours?

Haruka can feel the very air in the booth waiting alongside her partner. Her shoulders sag, and she drums a hand on the counter. ] ....Nobody's losing their job on my account.

[ ARE YOU HAPPY, PERFECT WOMAN. ]

[incousinswithyou]

...Corsola! [she is...sort of mildly sure that she likes the drama! Probably!!

Michiru just giggles. At least it's never boring with you.]

And on one of the busiest days of the year too.

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Wooooooop. [ The drama. That is an element Wooper has never contemplated. He does so now, which mostly involves forming his mouth into an "o" and assuming a blanker expression than usual. The drama....what is that like...hm...

Super Beauty shifts, getting tired of wearing this blanket. Haruka knew she sensed a kindred spirit in Rhyhorn for a reason. She chuckles. ] They're turning a profit.

[ That's a mild way to put it: this is one of the first lulls she's had in hours. And it looks like that might be ending soon, since there's a cluster of high school girls all playing "you talk to him first" "no, YOU talk to him first" across the street. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Corsola, cor. Sooola! [drama is like...it's like catching bad guys! The thrill of the chase! The tense stake outs that last waaay past bedtime! It's meting out justice! Uh. Or so she's heard!] C-cor!

As long as they're not keeping you.

[it's probably better for all parties involved if she pretends those girls don't exist]

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[ Super Beauty heard "chase". "Chase" is just another way of saying "run", right? Are they going to run? Her head swivels hopefully to Corsola, so now Carol has two fascinated audience members. Wooper's mouth grows as round as his eyes. That does sound exciting. ] Woop woop.

[ Haruka shrugs. If those girls start heading over she'll be obliged to start beckoning, but she'll take these last few moments while she can. ] It's not that -

[ Like, Z O M SAVIOR! calls the girl who's finally been selected to go first, apparently deciding not to beat around the bush. CAN WE SHOW YOU ON THE WARP BAND TO OUR FRIENDS??? ]

[incousinswithyou]

[if anything, Carol seems to be getting excited too, and hops a little.] Corsola! [yeah, superheroes are awesome! And maybe detectives too. Or those superhero/detective types!]

You have a customer. [just in case that squealing is a bit high pitched for normal hearing ranges]

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[ Ooh, a plot concept. Those people spend a lot of time outside, don't they? Do superhero/detective types like singing and dancing in the rain? ] Wooop?

[ Super Beauty remembers that she and Carol are on a "stakeout" and tries to stand still again. She rumbles, but keeps watching.

Haruka gives Michiru an impossibly eloquent look of amused embarrassment, then turns around, totally back in character. ] Custom advertisement? Are you going to invite your friends? They can't all be as cute as you, Skitty.

[ Kyaaaaaa. These girls definitely aren't feeling the cold any longer. But one of them is peering into the back, wondering if that's a person she sees sitting there. ]

[incousinswithyou]

Cor! [yeah, she totally bets some of them do! Though some might brooding in the rain better...

Chagrined at seeing Super Beauty being so serious, Carol resumes her position by the door and tries to pay attention to the humans walking about. Maybe some of them are here to steal the hearts and hopes of young girls everywhere, on this special occasion! (whatever it might be. Trainer didn't elaborate.)

Michiru's tone of voice is a study in wry amusement and patient exasperation.] I'd be careful if I were you. This one says things like that all the time.

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Woooop. [ Wooper leaves Corsola to her stakeout, busy musing about what "brooding in the rain" might look like. It does sound appropriately theatric.

Haruka, beset from all sides, tries to cajole with Michiru while still facing her customers. ] That's not true....

[ The girls, for their part, commune quickly upon realizing there's 1) another person here and 2) she's really super gorgeous. But they quickly hit on a compromise.

Excuse them, lady? You're just coworkers, right? Could you get them some chocolate while they talk to this guy? ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru will simply opt to ignore that protest.]

I'm afraid you're mistaken.

[she's not the one who runs over innocent passersby.

Elaboration is apparently beyond her, but she certainly doesn't look like she's getting up any time soon.]

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[ Oh, no, they're harassing Michiru. Haruka jumps to her partner's rescue, though it's hard to tell whether she's more worried about her customers or her partner or herself. ] Ah, she's just...If it's sweets you want, I'm happy to provide....

[ DREAMY SIGHING indicates this probably succeeded. Except for one girl who asks why that lady gets to sit in the back. Can they sit in the back too?

Her friends pluck her sleeve, scandalized. That lady is sooooo pretty and sooooo above them! She's probably mega rich! You don't want to get sued, do you!?

Super Beauty looks at Carol. Do stakeouts usually allow people to come bother their Trainers? ]

[incousinswithyou]

Well, if I'm in the way... [she almost sounds sincere when she says that.

Carol thinks hard about it, looking from their Trainers to the other humans. Uhhhhh. Only if their Trainers are serving as a distraction for something...?] Corsola... [probably! Quick, is there anybody else looking distracted and/or suspicious??]

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[ Shoot. Haruka moves in front of Michiru so the girls won't have a chance to bother her any more. ] I'd much rather look at all of you out here! Now, what can I get you?

[ A few of the girls start ordering things. The ones towards the back of the clump seem annoyed, looking around while waiting their turn. One is staring at Wooper. So Super Beauty stares at her. That one is not doing what the others are doing. She snorts. Is that bad? ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru is blessedly quiet during this - her view may be more than suitable at the moment.

Carol is alarmed! Maybe there's a Woopnapping plot afoot!!] Corsola...

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[ Haruka, for her part, is busy helping these girls. Chocolate for you...and for you....with the lightest brush of her fingers against their palms...This booth sure does pride itself on its service.

Super Beauty is not sure what Carol just said except that it sounds bad. What should they do? Should they run? She could run. She takes a step forward to indicate her willingness. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[from the giggling and the blushing, Michiru could probably figure out what's going on. It's quite distracting really, even if she was busy contemplating your backside.

Carol makes a split second decision born from years months of experience as a caped crusader! Quick, get Wooper to safety! The safety of innocent civilians takes priority!!] Corsola, cor!!

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[ Super Beauty nods and takes off towards the street! She's not sure what's going on, but you said "quick", and she can do "quick." Wooper, on her back, falls over. Where are they going? What are they doing? ] Woop!

[ Haruka looks over around the cluster and gapes. If Super Beauty hurts anybody else, she might be hawking wares all week! ]

[incousinswithyou]

[...that's so not happening. Michiru needs her date.

Carol is busy puffing herself up and getting ready to deliver the best magical girl superhero speech of all time! Something, something, daring to destroy a passionate young Woop's dreams of bringing life and love to people's lives through dance...? Yeah, that sounds like it'll be good.] Cor....corsola, cor!

[Michiru glances over at you. Will you do something or...?]

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...Excuse me. [ Haruka vaults the counter, parts the girls like the Red Sea was made of gaping, weak-in-the-knees adolescents, and strides up to the edge of the street. Then she thinks. As hard as she can. In Super Beauty's direction.

The Rhyhorn screeches to a stop, her whole body reverberating with the word BACK. Back! She has to go back!

Back she comes. She hasn't noticed Wooper fell off and is now lying face-down in the sludge. Don't mind him, heroes. You saved him! ] Woooooooop.