018 // action - union divine theater/ninetales vale/around union

[actsmagnificent]

[ a - union divine theater ]

Ah.....Left.

[ The Machomp and Nidoking holding up the decorative carving nod and move accordingly. Haruka surveys the result from several paces away, arms crossed. ] That's good.

[ A hired carpenter and her Mankey move in to affix the refurbished peace. No longer needed, Haruka glances around the rest of the damage. The dorm is mostly repaired by now, but the Theater is a long, slow process. They won't be putting on any more plays for a while...

...wait. ] Gene!

Woop! [ A Wooper flees the scene, the small rain cloud that'd been forming above some paint cans dissipating. Isn't he even allowed to dance his support anymore?!

He isn't really looking where he's running, and may very well end up lost. ]

[ b - ninetales vale ]

[ Ninetales Vale, while a haven for the physically spiritual, is also a place one can come for less directly spirit-related needs as well. For example, this unassuming building that has just reopened for business, every perfectly-shaped roof tile in place, is widely-known as one of the best places to go for a form of meditative hospitality centered around the drinking of tea.

Haruka is headed there now, dressed appropriately in a robe that crosses across her front. She takes a deep breath in front of the place, smiling to herself. Things are only going to get worse from here. She might need this. ]

[ c - HEADED RIGHT AT YOU, OH SAVIOR, GET OUT OF THE WAY ]

Move!

[ If the shout doesn't get you moving, Union pedestrian, perhaps the sound of a professional racing Rhyhorn thundering towards you on the open street might. It looks terrified, and is being pursued by a tall young "gentleman" on foot, who hurdles over a table of street wares like it wasn't even there in her quest to catch up to the stray beast.

The street is too crowded. So the young man looks for a handhold and begins vaulting himself up...onto the rooftops. Hope you weren't about to open a window! ]

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

That's what this fixes, right? [ It's not the tea. It's the state of the rest of the world - Gigas apparently making diplomatic overtures (she doesn't trust them), the Elite Four apparently having enough forces to need to have made camps (it would have been too much to hope for just four opponents), Ever Grande remaining an unknown (she wants to head east before they strike again). The Silence draws ever nearer. And Haruka gets ever tenser.

But she knows she's not at her best like that. So. Here's a little half-smile. ] Let's be entertained.

[incousinswithyou]

[there is, of course, more work to do, but one can make the case that they need a break.

A light hand on your arm, and then she's moving forward towards the door.]

doing some research for this i discovered michiru may have been the highest "ranking" guest in canon

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka follows.

The room where they'll be receiving the master is, as expected, quiet and tranquil. Haruka takes her seat in the appropriate spot, folding her legs beneath her "properly" - she can do details when she needs to do details.

She awaits their host's entrance from the other door. ]

oh?

[incousinswithyou]

[likewise, Michiru follows, taking her seat and letting herself take in the calm of the room. It's probably not very noticeable, the way her shoulders relax just a smidge.]

if i'm interpreting descriptions of seating arrangements correctly she's in the place of honor

[actsmagnificent]

[ This room is calculated to induce that, yes. Also mindfulness and attention to detail.

...such as the precision and carefully-rehearsed method with which this sliding door opens on the other side, revealing a small dish of sweets and the master of the afternoon's arrangements. ] Mienshao.

[ If this Pokémon is nervous at having to fill its Trainer's shoes while Trainer's broken leg heals, it isn't showing it. Tranquility is key. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru can appreciate staying calm under duress. At the very least, Mienshao is better at hiding it than a lot of other people in Union.

The Pokemon gets a respectful bow from her.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Mienshao bows in return. One by one, she places small plates with the sweets in front of her guests. Here are refreshments. ] Mien mien.

[ Haruka nods her appreciation and eats her snack slowly, delicately, as befits an Elegant Lady. Savoring these shows proper respect for their host. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru follows suit, every motion precise and deft. Focusing on the ceremony of it all is important, but still. She'll have to bring Stradivarius some time.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Having served her guests the sweets, Mienshao begins bringing in her tea utensils. She sets the first one down, and announces the type of tea she'll be preparing. For...all the good that will do her guests, at present. ] Shao shao mien.

[ And now, please enjoy the sight of her bringing in her utensils a few at a time, each held in the ceremonially-appropriate paw on the correct side of her body. She's taking careful steps, but with the natural grace of a martial artist, even bringing in her tools looks almost like a dance. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[that is a drawback for some of the humans, isn't it? Still, she liked how Mienshao seems unruffled about it.

Michiru splits her time between admiring the utensils and the Pokemon herself. It's nice to see Pokemon with a obvious passion in something.

Other than the doof.

Michiru's slight change in expression at that thought is mostly unnoticeable.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka's eyes flick over anyway. She's not completely sure what just happened, but it amuses her, so she buries a grin and turns her attention back to Mienshao. Michiru is so considerate. It's great.

Mienshao, for her part, has finished the elaborately-choreographed process of fetching utensils for her tea ceremony. Centering herself as she takes a seat, she bows. Please, everyone, do make yourselves comfortable...

Taking the cue, Haruka bows in return. ]