Springtime for Union

[bravenewmods]

After an unusually long and cold winter, the land is finally beginning to stir in the anticipation of spring. In the forest, the first flowers are beginning to peek out of the ground, the hum of Bug Pokémon begin to be heard, and of course, the first wisps of pollen begin to incite misery amongst the more sensitive of the population. The sun sets later and later each night, and at the end of a long workday, the prospect of escaping early to enjoy a stroll out in the brisk spring air becomes more and more enticing.

The pall cast by Team Evolution has long faded into little more than a distant cloud on the horizon. Though the mystery of 'Mega Evolution' remains unsolved, it seems inconsequential in the face of the strength that Union itself is gaining. All damage from the earthquakes has finally been fully repaired, production of iron and steel has been greatly enhanced by the discovery of the mine, there were plans to build a new port and to enhance the range of the Signal Tower, Enlightened and Pokémon everywhere were evolving one after another... On the whole, morale was high.

The city takes it upon itself to reflect this.

When the people of Union begin to stir early one spring morning, they will awaken to discover a cheerful city, indeed. All of Union, overnight, has become covered with vines and shrubs and flowers - plant life, everywhere the eye could see. Though the majority haven't yet begun to flower, the rainbow assortment of buds promises a lovely sight to come in the near future. A few citizens, annoyed, set to work removing the intrusive flora from their properties, but the majority simply take the unusual sight for what it is.

And for the particularly observant, dotted here and there among the landscape, the occasional large pink blossom can be spotted already in full bloom...

((You may use this post as an IC mingle if you wish!))

Comments

[aidolsenshi]

[What was with all this plant life anyway? Everything's going wild, and it's driving her allergies through the roof! Ugh ugh ugh this is terrible she can't breathe her head feels like it wants to explode and Minako hates. Every. Minute. Of. It. ugh ugh ugh.

The one indicator that Haruka might get that she's going to collide with the blond is the giant sniffle before the storm.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Though they sometimes fall prey to her tunnel vision, Haruka's instincts are excellent; she senses more than hears the sniffle, which also makes her aware there's another body near hers. Her head snaps up. ]

Who's -

[ Smack. Haruka doesn't fall over - too perfect tall and poised for that - but she does blink in surprise at the girl with whom she's just collided. ]

Sorry! Are you all right?

[1/2]

[aidolsenshi]

[Oh Savior, what now!? Someone's seriously cruisin for a bruisin

Even if it was her that smacked into Haruka]

Hey, watch where you're walking, buste--

[2/2]

[aidolsenshi]

[Wait. Stop. That voice.

That lovely mezzo voice.

Minako stops, looking up slowly.

Is it

IT IS.

Suddenly her day is 200% better.]

I'm great! Never better!

[She was probably asking because you knocked into her, not because you're absolutely starstruck at the moment, Minako.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka lets out a nervous breath. You seem okay. Even if she'd been spacing out to contemplate the fate of the world, saving it should hopefully involve as few sacrifices as possible. ] Thank goodness....I wouldn't want to hamper someone who's got such energy.

[ She'll reach to take Minako's hand, pulling her closer for a better look. ] Nothing's bruised?

[aidolsenshi]

[HARUKA SAYS SHE HAS ENERGY SCREEEEEEEAM

AND NOW SHE'S HOLDING HER HAND SCREEEEEEAM]

I don't think so, but we should make sure!

[Check her hand again, that might be bruised~]

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka lifts Minako's hand to turn her around, almost as if they're dancing. It's not like she ran into you with the Rhyhorn, though. Thank goodness. There's a reason World Shaking isn't allowed out in the city. ]

You look all right. [ Letting go, she steps back - and then produces a Gracidea flower from seemingly nowhere to tuck behind Minako's ear. It's the least she can do after her rudeness. ] Here. Stay bright as the surroundings today.

[aidolsenshi]

[Be still her beating heart. She is NEVER washing this hand again.

Oh my God Haruka stop. Being. So. Charming. She brings a hand to the flower, then beams brighter than the sun.]

I will~

Oh, wait! Just a minute!

[Crap, she has her ticket stub from the performance last week, right? It's still in her bag, isn't it? She quickly starts riffling through.]

[actsmagnificent]

[ ....We aren't done? She made up for it and everything.

Haruka is fine with waiting, though. She will wait, and watch, a somewhat blank - but therefore nonjudgmental - expression on her face. ]

Did you drop something?

[ She doesn't see anything around. What the hey? ]

[aidolsenshi]

[Oh come on it's got to be in here somewhere?

Dig dig dig

YES! She pulls out a ticket stub and a pen.]

Could I get you to sign this? I went to the play last week and your performance was so moving. Arnoldo was so charming and romantic, I couldn't get enough! It's the least you can do for bumping into me!

[actsmagnificent]

[ Oh, you're a fan. Haruka can't say her tastes run the same way, but she can hardly hold that against this girl either. She grins. ]

....You've got me there. [ Accepting the ticket, she smooths it out in one hand to prepare to write. ] Who's this addressed to?

[ Presumably you. But she doesn't know your name. ]

[aidolsenshi]

Minako Aino! Or just Minako! Whichever you prefer!

[actsmagnificent]

Miss...Minako.

[ When Haruka was aiming for pro Rhyhorn racing, she never used to sign autographs - she'd actually get rude to people asking for them. Every now and then these moments still feel surreal, but in a good way. Haruka doesn't take other people's intrusions into her life as personally anymore. She picks her battles, and her world's expanded as a result.

She could still do without all the singing, but whatever. The autograph is finished - "To Miss Minako, the spring flower - Haruka Tenoh" - and handed over. ] It suits you.

[aidolsenshi]

[Please let this moment never end, she is absolutely star-struck. This couldn't have gone better if she had planned it.

This is going up on her wall.]

You think so?

[actsmagnificent]

[ Haruka shrugs, grinning. Cute as this girl is, she doesn't have time right now to be shooting the breeze with fans. It's possible larger storms are brewing. She has to prepare.

Not that any of this shows on her expression. Far as that's concerned, no one but Minako exists in the world. ] Thanks for your support. I hope to see your smiling face light up the theater again, Miss Minako.

[aidolsenshi]

[Miss Minako how fancy was that?

Man, Artemis where were you in moments like this so she could RUB IT IN YOUR FACE?]

I'll be there!

[And maybe not in the nosebleed/cheapskate section next time!]

[actsmagnificent]

See you then.

[ And with a final wink and salute, off Haruka sweeps. Her passing dislodges a few loose flower petals from the surroundings; they dance in her wake.

This outbreak may or may not be a sign of impending doom, but it sure is handy for the Defense Force's aesthetic. ]