Beach Party Log

[celebrity_commentator]

Who: The people of Union and all their wonderful friends who can be bothered to take a vacation.
Where: The Tropical Island
When: On and off, the second week of June
What: Union's more-than-annual beach party. Open log, tag around!

The sun is shining, the Wingull are squawking, and the beach of the Tropical Island is as beautiful as always. The whole city has more or less been effectively encouraged to come out, especially people who need to recover from the shenanigans in Sanctuary. The air is filled with the sounds and smells of Citadel visitors grilling, the expected murmurs of shock at Calderan fashions hitting the place where they're most practical, and of course, the colorful sights of everyone having a good time. There's lots of places to see and things to do on the island, and now's the time to enjoy them.

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka's shoulders twitch in a repressed shrug. ] It's the wrong typing.

[ Necessary, then. She smiles at Mami, putting the tropical aura of the beach to shame. Roses aren't...indigenous to this area, right...? ] I'm much more interested in someone diligent enough to practice on their vacation.

[wishingalone]

Ah, I see. [She's been there before. She glances sideways at Haruka and smiles back. Is that roses? Quite a smile, though. Mami can't quite match it for sheer charisma. Poise and grace, now...]

I suppose it's hard to let go of the habit. But, we practice for when we don't expect to encounter trouble, not when we anticipate a problem, no?

[actsmagnificent]

So you're in the habit for being prepared for anything? [ Were you prepared for Haruka beginning to intrude on your personal space? Because that is happening. Currently.

Hi Skitty. ] That must be hard.

[wishingalone]

[Mami is rather abruptly surprised. She backs up instinctively -- no one in Citadel really made a move on her, largely by virtue of reputation -- and realizes, for once, that she has no clue what to do.]

[And so Haruka is treated to that rarest of sights: Mami Tomoe gawking in dumbfounded stupor.]

Bwuh? [. . .] ...My pardon, ah--it does take some... work?

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka laughs. She hadn't meant to fluster the other girl - mostly she's intrigued (and impressed; thank goodness, someone with diligence) - but she can't help it. This person's cute. ] It's paying off. The beach is safe with you here, Skitty.

[ Wink. ]

[wishingalone]

[Mami laughs, recovering a little bit, before she smiles back confidently.] I shall endeavor to keep it that way, then.

[She extends a hand to Haruka.] Mami Tomoe. A Valkyrie of the Citadel, at your service.

[actsmagnificent]

Haruka Tenoh. [ A Valkyrie? That explains the work ethic. Haruka accepts that hand as if she means to kiss it instead of shaking it, bringing it up towards her lips. ] I just act.

[ And she blows a kiss on Mami's knuckles, eyes still meeting the other girl's. They're those kinds of plays. ]

[wishingalone]

[This flusters Mami, but it's also far more familiar. There's this sort of formality with the Valkyries, and she even does the small bow of her neck that matches the situation.]

A pleasure, Miss Tenoh. I heard of your theater troupe, I believe. I'll have to see them for myself sometime.

[Ah, but an actress with a blade -- and the skill to use it. Interesting.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ She's very devoted to her craft. You should see her scouring the Ruins for historical details, at the expense of.....attending....rehearsal.....

....let's not go there. ] It'd be our pleasure.

[ Formalities over, Haruka lets go of Mami's hand. ] You're staying in Union?

[ This is the first time she's actually talked to a Valkyrie. Valkyries in bulk, as a collective entity, she tends to side-eye since she thinks the whole mixup last year was just silly, but that's no reason to hold anything against an individual. ]

[wishingalone]

I am. I have a room at one of the hotels.

[She's also a wealthy Valkyrie. Something inherited from her parents. Mami looks up, then considers for a moment.]

I'm still getting my bearings. It's quite different than the life I'm used to.

[actsmagnificent]

You seem like you're managing. [ Union.....she can't really say much about Union, good or ill, since it's all she really knows. Mami is more interesting. ]

[wishingalone]

I suppose I am, at that. Valkyrie tribes travel, so I'm accustomed to going to new places. Just not quite this new place.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka nods - not much she can say to that - and turns her attention to Mami's weapons. These are those....uh....they work like Bullet Seed, right? Pent-up energy fires a projectile? ] How d'these work?

[wishingalone]

Ah, let me show you.

[She picks one up and demonstrates; if Haruka looks close, she'll realize they're all identical and they're sufficiently simple to be fired.] The technique creates them; they can linger after I fire them, but not for long. It's rather like Bullet Seed, but slightly more complex.

[She hands the rifle over.] It has some heft, so it can be a melee weapon, should the need arise.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka, as indicated, hefts the rifle for confirmation of what Mami'd said, then holds it up to her shoulder in imitation of the Valkyrie. Ah. So then... ] Seems efficient.

[ It feels weird, though. Maybe she's just too used to her own powers, which are not...ah...known for their precision. ]

[wishingalone]

Mm. Yes. [It has weaknesses, but Mami isn't about to share them with anyone else. Not that she distrusts Haruka, but she isn't that trusting of... well, the entire world.]

I prefer efficiency when I fight. Of course... a little showmanship is also ideal.

[She winks.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ You would like the theater. Haruka hands the gun back to its owner, grinning. ] Good luck striking the balance. You're doing fine, Skitty.

[ They have used up their collective wink quota for this conversation, so she'll have to settle for arching an eyebrow approvingly. ]

[wishingalone]

[Mami takes the gun and smiles, then dispels it -- it's easier to not maintain ones that she isn't using, really. She tilts her head, though.]

Why, thank you. And I would say you've prepared for any trouble this beach quite well. [A glance at that sword again.] Your aim is superb, too.

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka smirks to accept the compliment but doesn't follow up on it. Best not to dwell on why the actress carries a weapon on vacation. ] Don't forget to stop by the theater.

[wishingalone]

I'll be sure to.

[actsmagnificent]

Good luck practicing. [ And she salutes. It's jaunty, and a little cocky, but it's also the most she can manage from one warrior to another when she "just acts". You do your thing in your way. She'll do hers.

And she'll be keeping an eye out for Mami in the future. ]