bravenewworld | [Text/Action] 002

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[Text/Action] 002

[A: Text, to everyone]

I hope that everyone is recovering from the recent ordeal. It was worrisome, to say the very least. Nonetheless, it seems that some benefit may have been derived from it, at least.

Has anyone successfully done one of these new evolutions?

[B: Text, private to Kyouko]

[Yeah... here's why she did text. She doesn't trust herself to not get emotional talking to Kyouko about this.]

I saw it in my memories. Inside of that cave that the others went inside of. Not the real thing.

[C: Action, later, at Junes!]

[Mami promised that she would stop by Junes. She wants to go see it, besides; she could stand to buy a few things, especially a few things from home. But her ~~friend~~ ~~boyfriend~~ ~~it's complicated~~ ~~really there's not a good word for him~~ special cute buddy Yosuke works here. And that is more than enough reason to get her here.]

[You might find her browsing the aisles, looking over the various goods. Especially some of the clothing. Winter is coming, after all, and she means to be ready for it. But she's also looking for Yosuke, peering about all parts of the store.]

[And later, she's sitting down at a table in the cafe portion, sipping tea. Because of course she is!]

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They are.

[Yukiko takes a seat, trusting Ares to keep the newbie in line.]

I do, I'd say. As well as anyone, I guess. We're friends, and...we've shared a lot since we met. Why do you ask?

I was curious, mostly. We've become--ah--friends. [The 'ah' is a qualifier, all things considered. They can't quite call themselves friends, even if she's not sure what they are. But she'll settle for that in conversation.]

I wasn't sure how many friends he had made. I'm glad that he has, though.

Ah friends? [Yukiko caught that hitch there. She's curious and her interest is most definitely piqued to see the unusually unflappable Mami Tomoe struggle a bit for a word.]

Is there something going on between the two of you?

[It isn't like Yosuke's excited questioning about wanting to know what Mami'd said about him had escaped her notice. And as with all things that aren't related to her own romantic life? Yukiko is smart, and capable of putting it all together.]

[...oh no, she's caught. To her credit, Mami doesn't startle but she does glance down at her teacup for longer than it deserves consideration.]

...Hm? Oh.

[She taps her fingers together, awkwardly, and attempts to downplay it. Of course, Mami Tomoe isn't nearly as good at this as she'd like to think. She has a way of making what she thinks evident.]

We've become good friends, too. Would you like some tea, Yukiko? I would be happy to order some for you.

[Yukiko smiles teasingly, and leans forward just a little bit. She isn't fooled by the act, but she isn't going to press or tease. She's not Rise, nor even Chie. She's got more manners than all that.]

I'd like some, yes. Thank you.

[Her own fingers drum once along the table, a flickering half smile clearly stating that she doesn't quite believe that statement.]

Wonderful. [She waves over a waiter; another order of tea is put in. The waiter scurries off, and Mami looks back at Yukiko, with a smile.]

[Mami isn't used to defending herself ~~because she really didn't have many friends until she came here~~. So while someone more practiced might move on, Mami... just digs that hole deeper.]

It is quite natural, after all. We're both from Citadel. We have much in common.

[Yukiko waits patiently for Mami to try and smooth that over, but no. Apparently this is the hill she's choosing to make a stand on. At least she's pitched this tent with someone who's relatively easygoing.]

You are both from Citadel, yes, but I don't know exactly how much you have in common with him that isn't simply cultural similarity.

[Her lips quirk, and she leans forward just a little bit.]

He asked me about you, you know.

--Did he?

[She snaps to attention quickly after that, blinking her eyes a couple of times. Her attempt to explain is dropped because this is important information. Which is entirely friendly.]

What did he say?

[Oh, Mami you are just the most precious thing. Yukiko's smile widens into a grin and she leans back in her seat, watching the golden-eyed blonde for a moment before answering.]

He thinks you're pretty great. And he enjoys your company. Also, you're a good teacher. And...[A weak laugh.] he's glad that you're teaching me to fight better. He seemed worried I was going to fry him on accident or something.

[A beat, and she adds casually, because it's an obvious thing for her too. Mami is pretty.]

And that you're quite pretty.

[She starts to talk after the beat. It all seems simple, straight forward enough. The sorts of things that friends would share with each other. She has been teaching both of them to fight, after all.]

Oh, well. I should hope--

[She knew she was pretty. She even knew Yosuke thought she was pretty (hey, she's focused, not blind). But it's something else that he told friends. Her cheeks redden and she sounds... excited, when she speaks:]

...really? [A quick pause, then she's recovered.] I-I suppose he is... ah... observant...

[Yukiko giggles behind her hand, quite pleased to have gotten such an obvious rise out of Mami.]

He is. You are pretty, he's not lying. But I think it means more when he says it than when I do, doesn't it?

[hmmm?]

W-Well, it is... he is... um.

[Her cheeks redden more and she looks to the side, awkwardly, before she glances down at the top of the table. She awkwardly adjusts her bangs, brushing them back. It's not necessary and entirely nervous.]

...it is nice when it comes from him, yes. I do appreciate the compliment, of course, Yukiko. But yes. It is different.

[That is the nail in the coffin, the hill you will die upon. Yukiko stops laughing now, and nods.]

He'll make a nice boyfriend for you, I think. If he isn't already.

L-Let's not move too quickly, though! We have to--ah--he is quite nice, and quite good looking, and I quite like his company! But... but!

[She actually sputters. It's a rare thing, that.]

Good looking huh?

[She'll keep her own thoughts on him out of there. he's not bad, but...type. and she'd already rejected him. He was a friend, nothing more.]

Mami. It's okay to say you like him, and if this is how you act? Then maybe you should seriously consider dating him?

[She takes a sip of her tea. The waiter puts down Yukiko's, too, and she lifts hers to have a sip from it.]

Mm... I know. But... I'm a Valkyrie. I have my duties. I worry they could get in the way...

[That comes out weakly. They haven't, yet.]

...And I could disappoint him. I don't want to do that.

[Yukiko spoons in a little sugar, and some milk. Milk tea, a wonderful invention.]

Mami. Yosuke and I had a talk about this recently.

[Setting down the cup, she fixes golden eyes with black ones, intense now. This was her trial...and she didn't want to see others fall into the same trap.]

About duty and doing what you want. If you want to date Yosuke, I know he'll accept that sometimes you have a duty to go fight. And I know that's probably part of why he likes you. [There's a pause as she lets that sink in.]

And I know from personal experience? That if you want something enough? Then you shouldn't let expectations from others get in the way of that. That's why I joined the Seekers and started learning how to fight from you instead of staying at my parent's spa. Only with you? There's absolutely no reason why you can't have your cake and eat it too.

And frankly? I think the only way you could disappoint him? Is if you weren't honest about wanting to see him. It's obvious you do.

Ah, well...

[Oh, sure, she tries to hedge it. But Yukiko makes some points that she can't really refute. Mami quiets down for a moment, then, finally, nods. Her eyes become sympathetic, too; she doesn't remark on why she sought training from her, or joined the Seekers, but it explains a lot. And Mami can always appreciate forging one's own path.]

...You have a point. He has said as much to me. [He looks up to her. She's still scared of letting him down.] And he has seen me when I am... not at my best.

[She nods, slowly.]

I should speak with him -- ah, not immediately. He is at work. But later.

[Yukiko smiles quite fondly, sipping at her tea now that it's cooled enough to be bearable. She can understand that, and the reticence. She's been there, about other things.]

He's reliable, Mami. He's seen me in some bad spots too, you know. The caves, talking to Suicune, my parents...he was even with me in Sanctuary when I evolved the last time. We've only known each other a few months, but it feels like a lot longer to be honest.

[She forces a laugh now, hoping to lighten the mood.]

And if the two of you are a thing, then it gives me an excuse to get to know you on a more personal level too.

Mm... he is supportive. I noticed that about him. He is there for those that he cares about.

[She looks down at her teacup, idly balancing it in her hands, before she brings it to her lips and sips.]

[She likes that thought, too. That she might make better friends with Yukiko. She doesn't have many. She smiles, then she nods.]

That would be quite nice. I always enjoy having someone to get tea with. [She winks. That's a joke.]

[...mostly. She likes her tea.]

Edited (oops icon) 2015-08-04 04:32 (UTC)

He's a good person.

[Despite being something of a pervert. Yukiko can see why people would like him that way, even if she herself doesn't. And it's not like Mami didn't say it before, that people from Citadel have some things in common.]

And I can't really disagree. It's nice having someone to talk to who's got some manners and charm. [Which Mami certainly does have.]

Goodness, I'm excited for both of you.

Why, thank you. I certainly try to. [Mami winks. She knows she has manners and charm. She works hard to have manners and charm. It would be unthinkable not to have manners and charm!]

I'll tell you how things go. I am a little nervous, I confess, but... that is to be expected.

[She smiles, before she leans backward. She shouldn't talk about herself the entire time, though. It wouldn't be sporting.]

You mentioned moving away from your parents and seeking your own life. Has that gone well, thus far?

I’m sure it’ll be fine. Just be yourself, okay?

[Yukiko smiles, incredibly pleased to have been helpful with this. Or hopefully helpful. It may not be perfect, but it’s definitely something going right for Yosuke if his affections are returned.

But that smile? Fades ever so slightly at the mention of her parents.]

It’s gone…okay. I mean, Mom won’t speak to me, but I have my own apartment now. It’s a little too big, kinda lonely? But I’m enjoying my new job. And my little side business is working alright too. So I’ve got money, and things are looking well enough.

I shall do my best.

[She smiles, but it mellows out in kind when she sees Yukiko's fade. It sounds like it must be painful. The parents of Union's children -- of everywhere, really -- put so much on them. She thinks of Lux. Then of her own parents.]

[...no, enough of that.]

Ah, yes. Living alone is an adjustment. It has its rewards, but... as you said. How have you found your work with the Seekers?

It's going okay. I mean, I feel like I'm doing something more important than giving massages and doing aromatherapy. Up until now? I haven't cared about my job but now? I mean, I have so many more opportunities to improve our world. And make my city and fellow trainers better.

Even...if mom won't talk to me right now.

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