019 // action: verdant forest, streets of union, divine theater (closed)

[actsmagnificent]

[ a - verdant forest ]

Easy.

[ Haruka Tenoh, as per usual, is sitting astride a mighty, majestic Pokémon. It's not a Rhyhorn, however. It's Uranus the Salamence, now sporting an impressive set of battle scars and testing wings that are sore from disuse. All winter. She'd remained grounded all winter, afraid to try flying again even after she'd healed. But now, with the spring breezes stirring hope in her breast, she dares to imagine that they can support her weight again. She dreams once more...of flight.

Honestly, Haruka is mostly here for moral support, as the Salamence's wings flap once, twice - its feet leave the ground - and slowly, beat by beat of those massive wings, Uranus climbs into the air. They clear the treetops. They speed towards the clouds.

Uranus bellows in triumph and sets out to loop around the city spires. Anyone else in midflight right now may find themselves with a joyful companion. She doesn't want to be alone for this. She wants everyone to know.

She's flying!!! ]

[ b - streets of union ]

[ At the same time this is happening, however, an Amaura collapses onto the cobblestones, even her long neck stretched along the ground. Her tongue lolls out of her mouth, and she takes a heavy breath. She'd been looking...for a good place....to watch her friend fly....but Union gets so warm!

Help...and please...don't step on her...even though she's blocking foot traffic.... ]

[ c - closed to divine defense force ]

[ A successful voyage doesn't mean Haruka's own buoyant mood lasts. Instead, she's landed with even more purpose in her step than before, and a light in her eyes. One by one, she's tracking down the people she's responsible for, and asking them a single question: ]

Are you ready?

[ Just that. Because no matter what Union votes on the current crisis of conscience, for her, the way forward is clear. The Divine Defense Force saves gods from humans, and humanity at large from gods.

War is a small price to pay to stave off the apocalypse. And let the blame for that war fall on her shoulders. She's prepared. ]

Comments

[actsmagnificent]

[ Such enthusiasm. Haruka doesn't need to be told twice, though she does also grab a towel from a rack near the doors and tuck it around Michiru's shoulders. For the lady. ]

Au. [ Amara has ice cream on her nose and is going cross-eyed trying to lick it off. The shopkeeper laughs. You're feeling better now, huh, little one?

He smiles at Oshawott, handing Vanillish a tiny cup of ice cream as well so she doesn't feel left out (he loses a lot of potential profit by having Vanillish around, actually, but he doesn't let that bother him). And where might you two be headed on such a warm day? ]

[incousinswithyou]

[she uses her free hand to hold the edges of the towel, smiling at you. She does, however, head straight towards her locker. How prepared were you when coming over to this level...?]

[Allegro takes a moment to take another lick of his ice cream and sighs happily. So good.]

Shaaa, oshawott! [they're going home! And then he's gonna try and shove Amara into the that cold box with the food!]

[actsmagnificent]

[ She doesn't have her own swim things with her, if that's desired. But she thinks she can handle just about anything you throw at her. Especially if no one else is using the locker room.

Her checking over the whole place once they're there is definitely to know whether Michiru will be able to change in peace and not because she wants to know how busy it is for herself. Nope.

The shopkeeper nods at Allegro's plan. If it's big enough, that's not a bad idea. But you should also tell your Trainer that in the summer, maybe your friend should live in the Habitat? She will be much more comfortable there, and you can still visit her whenever you want.

Amara isn't listening. She has just one speck of ice cream left. ] Raa.

[incousinswithyou]

[the place is mostly empty, though when you make your way back to the locker, Michiru's gone and there are familiar looking t-shirt and shorts (read: dry and for you) on the bench. The sound of the shower running nearby probably means she didn't bother to wait for you.

Allegro's eyes get wide and then he nods vigorously. Right. The Habitat has more than just the pool. He forgot about that.] Oshawott!

[actsmagnificent]

[ Look at that. Haruka smiles, stripping out of her wet pants, and lays them aside to deal with later. She pauses for a moment, thinking, and then the rest of her clothes follow.

Now to find Michiru. Is she...in here? ] Kinda cramped.

[ The shopkeeper smiles, then turns to return to his business. Vanillish can take things from here.

Amara goes crosseyed but finishes her ice cream. That was so good! But, oh. This is not home, and they were on their way home, and they were found by strangers. Nice strangers, but...

Bashful, she hides behind Allegro when Vanillish smiles at her. This goes not so well. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru turns her head at the sound of your voice. Her slow smile might or might not have anything to do with the once-over she's giving you.]

Do you have somewhere else to be? [so she says, even as she's handing you a bottle of shampoo. Help her?

Allegro pats Amara's leg (or whatever he can reach) and grins at Vanillish.] Oshaaa! [Amara says thanks! And also that the ice cream saved her life!

Either way, looks like he's got a big mouth.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Gladly. Haruka lathers up her hands, setting the bottle aside. ] Not especially.

[ It's important that shampoo reach the roots of a person's hair, right? Particularly when they've been swimming in chlorinated water. Haruka intends to make the most out of every finger as she applies her sudsy hands to Michiru's hair.

Vanillish is so pleased. Stop back anytime, and bring friends! They always have plenty of that...of that...of the white ice cream flavor, and sometimes they mix up new special flavors depending on the season. It's fun!

Amara blinks, then musters her bravery to thank Vanillish herself, too. This was a very nice stop. You should...come to the theater sometime, too. ] Amaura maa.

[incousinswithyou]

Mmm. [don't mind her as she closes her eyes. All the better to enjoy being pampered.]

Osh! [yeah! The humans do weird things, but it looks like fun!

Allegro nudges the door open, holding it open for Amara and waving goodbye to Vanillish.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ That's just fine. Haruka steps closer, too, the better to massage the shampoo into Michiru's scalp. It's a somewhat overambitious step, though, and has the front of her body brushing against the back of Michiru's. Whoops!

Vanillish waves too as Amara takes a deep breath, straightens her frills, and plods towards the door with a Very Determined Expression on her face. There will just be a little heat, she tells herself. Just a little heat. ] Mmmmmmmmmmmma.

[ The first foot out the door steps down with a Mighty Step. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[Michiru smiles at that, letting herself lean back just a bit. It's really important to get clean, apparently.]

Oshawott! [Allegro cheers as Amara clears the door! Alright! Let's go back this way!]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Very much so. Especially the bangs, if that means Haruka can try and tip Michiru's head back so they can look each other in the eyes (if Michiru were inclined to open hers). She's grinning.

The heat hits Amara like a blanket, but she will persevere! She even reaches down with her mouth to gently try and lift Allegro up and put him on her back, nice and secure. This is a thank-you, since this way only one of them has to walk in the heat. ] Mmmmaura.

[incousinswithyou]

[here's a smile back. Her eyes are open and she's looking more than amused.] Thorough, aren't we?

[whoa! Allegro wiggles a little before going still and getting deposited on Amara's back.] Osh! [alright! Onwards!!]

[actsmagnificent]

I wouldn't want you complaining later, either. [ If your hair was the wrong consistency when you went to brush it, for example. Or if, gods forbid, it didn't flip over your shoulder properly. Haruka believes in preventing calamity.

And in moving her nose very close to Michiru's.

Onwards they go! Amara is doing much better now that she has recharged in the freezer. Excuse her, please, humans. Oh, sorry there, she will get out of your way, Mister Excadrill. Whoa, she'd better stop so this Spritzee family can cross the road, as some of these birds are hopping, not flying. ] Aaaaaa....

[ The city is full of all kinds of things. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[hey, that hairflip is important for her aesthetic.] How prepared.

[and she's grinning, leaning back and tilting her head so she rubs noses with you.]

...Osha!! Oshawott, wott! [hey you! Yeah, you! Get outta the way! We're walkin' here!!]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka's nose rubs back. She's just about done with your hair - do you need her hands anywhere else? ] That's the idea.

Mauuu! [ Amara looks alarmed. I-isn't that kind of...mean? Or...there is a human word for this. Presum....presu....

It makes them sound like they think they're really important!

The birbs, though, don't seem to mind. Or have noticed. They keep hopping. Slowly. Across the way. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[a quiet chuckle, and then she's taking a step forward and ducking her head under the stream of water. Suds follow the curve of her back, evidence of your hard work draining away. Though really, she'd be lying if she said she didn't need your hands.]

Oshawott!! [hey you, where'd you learn to fly? In a cave???

No, Allegro doesn't seem to be listening to Amara.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka grins and moves to embrace Michiru loosely around the waist. She'll try to keep out of the way of where Michiru needs to move to rinse, but they're here. Might as well.

Most of the Spritzee continue to not notice Allegro, but one tiny one towards the rear turns and begins cheeping. No! They are learning to fly in the city! That is where they hatched. Their mother is from a place called the Flower Grove. Do you know it? It is supposedly very pretty, but they were born already knowing their Trainer instead of being found....

Encouraging them to move does not seem to have worked, Allegro. In fact, the Spritzee behind the talkative one bumps into it. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[once the majority of the suds have washed away, Michiru turns around in the circle of your arms. Her own arms rest on your shoulders, hands clasped loosely behind your neck. And then she's leaning up for a proper kiss this time.

Allegro can feel his brain turning into jello as the baby Spritzee just keeps going on and on.

After a few moments, he shakes his head, as if to rid his brain of the cheeping.] Osha! Shaaa, oshawott!! [can't you see they're busy here?? Get out of the way!]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka can't say she minds this plan. Her embrace tightens as she deepens the kiss, resting her forehead atop Michiru's wet hair. You'd better have done a thorough job up there or else she's going to pull away sudsy. And wouldn't that be awful.

Spritzee does not get out of the way. Really? You're busy? You just looked like you were walking. They are walking right now, too. They are crossing the street. Have you ever crossed the street? Their mom said it would be scary but it is not that bad. It doesn't know what all the fuss is about....

Amara is looking flustered - and not just from the heat but from nerves, too. Oh, dear. She should fix this. What should she do? ] Ama...mau...?

[incousinswithyou]

Mmm. [she's certainly not shy about pressing up against you. Or glancing up, grinning, and then pushing the transferred bubbles further into your hair.

Allegro is standing up on Amara's back, waving his stubby little arm angrily.] Osha!! Oshawott oshaaaa! [quit holdin' up traffic and run back to mommy, will ya??]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka doessn't get it. Yet. But she's charmed, so she chuckles. ] What's this?

[ Oh, no, oh no no. Amara looks at Allegro, worried, and then back at the baby bird to make sure its feelings aren't hurt yet. Um. Excuse...her... ] Am...aura.

[ Maybe if she just...slides a foot....forward...she can inch the bird....out of the way. Excuse...them... ] Mau.

[incousinswithyou]

Nothing. [and she chases that with a kiss, hands sneakily sliding down onto your chest.]

Oshawott! [yeah!! Come back when you learn to fly!]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Oh, how devious. You're lucky Haruka is a talented young woman, capable of laughing and kissing at the same time. Or perhaps her mouth has nimbled up after plenty of practice in various activities.

Spritzee is shunted aside, but that just makes her hop alongside Amara. Oh, she will! When she knows how to fly, she will go all sorts of places and see all sorts of things. Where did you say you were going? It was important, right? She is crossing the street! Have you ever crossed the street before? It's--

Amara just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. ]

[incousinswithyou]

[she giggles, kissing back. Though to be fair, half her attention is on her prize at hand, judging from that slow, deliberate massage.

Allegro is...almost mollified! Yay, they're moving again! But they seemed to have picked up a stray.]

Oshawott! Shaaa, wooott! [go home kid! They don't need any more babies at the theater!!]

[actsmagnificent]

Nnn... [ Whoops. You found a good spot, Michiru. Haruka's cheeks are getting redder. Must be the steam. (She shows no indication of wanting to be anywhere but right here, however. In fact, the kiss deepens.)

Spritzee keeps hopping alongside. Babies? You have babies? It was a baby not so long ago. Now it can almost do flying things like this. Watch this. This is very impressive.

And it jumps, flaps, and -

- lands on Amara next to Allegro. See? That is almost as good as flying. Wow, you can see a lot of things from up here. No wonder you like it.

Amara keeps moving, but she looks over her shoulder to try and find the mama bird. She doesn't want to steal this baby. What's wrong with her? ] Mau...