it's not unusual.

[looseleaves]

WHO: Hajime + OPEN
WHERE: Various!
WHEN: January.
WHAT: Usual catchall stuff. Please ask for a specific prompt if you'd like one, I'm all ears for new and old CR!
WARNINGS: None applicable.

i

[ It's a surprisingly rowdy day at the park--lots of dogs and people bustling to and from both ends of the park. It'd be a perfect time to perform, but Hajime is as silent as he's always been through December. At least the fact that he's quite clearly working on something, papers in his lap, is making sure he's not bothered... the soothing sound of the fountain behind him is enough to keep his mind on task. He hears a clamor and raises his head, just in time to see someone be knocked over by an overzealous child with a huge dog, straight into him--and the fountain. ]

W-wagh!

[ He manages to get to his feet and reach out for the poor victim, but it doesn't help--both crash into the water. ]

ii

[ He's back to recording sessions pretty quickly, which means he has to take some days off of school. Hajime's just treating himself to a drink after a session, late in the afternoon... when someone sidles up beside him, too close. They're a fan.

(Oh jeez. He thought he'd have more time than this!)

They're very intense--wondering just why he's been saving his voice all this time, can they have a picture, they love the lullabies he's posted on his Instagraham... all of that. Hajime is trying his best to be on his best behavior and not be rude, but it's increasingly uncomfortable with the way they shamelessly drape over him, and he's kind of too tiny.

Some brave soul would be appreciated. ]

bonus (closed to freyja)

[ Used to be, he volunteered a lot at the hospital. Now that he's at school, though... that's not entirely possible. He has to rush over to the hospital to volunteer when he does, changing into the usual volunteer uniform and heading back out with his hair tied back. There's a good moment of pause as he hears singing of all things, though... and he backs up a few steps as he peers into the room, tilting his head as he listens. ]

Comments

~BONUS~

[livesfastdiesung]

[Freyja doesn't notice Hajime right away, not really. She's with a patient, after all, and she's devoting her entire attention to said patient. She's not even facing him, her back to the door, though for some reason it looks like there are... pink sparkles? Kinda weird. Oh well. The patient is, at least, drifting off to sleep due to the song.]

My own story begins as I wake up, This morning feels different, and I rub my eyes... Ready to fire! Three, two, onepiece, flying as I spin. My engine is now in extreme speed, Then we crash on a galactic scale, a rush of deculture! All power starboard, I'm setting you on fire... Feel it? Diving! There's no turning back now. SOS, the signal's on fire, love is changing the world....

[There's a sigh of contentment, at least, when she realizes that the patient's so relaxed. It's exactly what she wanted to do, not that there was even much she was allowed to do otherwise to begin with.]

[looseleaves]

[ There's a soft laugh behind her when she pauses, gentle applause that he knows won't wake the patient. That's... strange. It feels like some sort of weird deja vu? He did this, a few months ago... he helped people, like she was. Back when he wasn't more afraid of his voice, anyway. ]

Ne, your voice is really beautiful.

[livesfastdiesung]

[She's not as startled as she could be. In fact, whatever was sparkling seems to perk up more (and the fact that it's something weird and not actually hair is visible). She spins around in her chair, taking in Hajime.]

You think so? Huhuhu. [What a weird giggle, even if she's trying to keep it quiet because of the patient.] Thank you!

[looseleaves]

W--

[ Hajime lifts a hand to clap it where her rune is on her head, blinking owlishly at her now. ]

Ah... y-you're welcome? You're another volunteer... I'm Hajime Shino, nice to meet you.

[livesfastdiesung]

[It takes a moment for her to process what Hajime's doing and why, and it just leads to her clapping her own hand over her rune. Gosh!!!]

Don't stare, that's rude!

[She doesn't seem too put off, at least.]

Freyja Wion. It's nice to meetcha too!

[looseleaves]

[ Eh???

He quickly looks away, embarrassed. ]

S-sorry! Um--I didn't mean to stare...

I was a little surprised, you know? I was doing the same thing when I first arrived, too...

(closed to erik)

[looseleaves]

[ As always, Hajime always brings some snacks when he comes over to... er, 'tutor'? It feels wrong to call it that when Erik is an adult, but saying he's teaching feels worse. He'd rather call himself a pocket dictionary when it comes to teaching Erik Japanese; while he's obviously a native speaker and well-versed in his own language, it's difficult to teach with the translator in the way. He does the best he can, though.

Admittedly, December hadn't been easy. With his own flagging confidence, he'd found it hard to teach at all. January is better... ish.

Hajime knocks as always, having sent a text before, but too polite to barge in. ]

[livesfastdiesung]

[Well, when he looks away she takes her hand off her head and she looks fairly appeased.]

Ehhh, you were? I couldn't imagine doin' anythin' else, though.

[looseleaves]

W-well...

[ The problem there came when he just... couldn't sing anymore. Hajime hesitates before rubbing the back of his neck, his eyes closed--awkward. ]

If I sing in public and in private... you can really tire yourself out like that.

[livesfastdiesung]

I guess... but it's okay, as long as everyone's happy. It's just somethin' I love to do and I want other people to like it, too.

[Also she doesn't really get tired, she could sing 24/7 if she wanted to with no issues.]

[looseleaves]

[ Some of us aren't essentially singing Superman, Freyja!! ]

Ehhh, you should take care of your voice! I know the feeling, but you should be responsible about it too... your voice is really beautiful, so it'd be a shame if you hurt it.

[livesfastdiesung]

[YOU WILL BE TOO SOMEDAY HAJIME.]

I take care of it, promise! You don't gotta worry about me, it'll be fine. It's nothin' I haven't been doin' for a looooong time. [She cheers up pretty visibly.] Ehuhu, thank you for the concern, though! And thank you for the compliment!

Re: (closed to erik)

[incogneto]

[ Their lessons have been paused now and for many reasons, but after calling Hajime with a request to resume, Erik was elated to be able to schedule something so soon. As always, the door swings open for him automatically, even as Erik is making his way from wherever he is on the other side of the house. ]

Hello again!

[ He greets Hajime in Japanese, as he always does, his pronunciation markedly improved from before. ]

Happy New Year. Have you been well? Come in, please, I'll make tea.

[ OoC; I imagine he's using Hajime's name in lieu of pronouns but I don't know which honorific he'd use and it felt weird to drop them in the middle of italics for Erik specifically so IDK HANDWAVE ]

[looseleaves]

Of course!

[ He jumps a little when he hears a nurse behind him, beckoning them both out. He gestures to her. ]

Ah, she said we might be needed in the children's ward... it's your first day, isn't it?

[livesfastdiesung]

[She is quick to leave, eager to actually continue talking to Hajime and to leave the sleeping patient to their rest.]

Mhm, it is! I'm still learnin' my way around and everythin'. I dunno where the children's ward is.

[looseleaves]

[ ooc: Totally okay! I'll be omitting them since they're implied anyhow for Hajime. ]

[ He steps in, a smile coming to his face. ]

Hello! Happy New Year...

[ His smile falters a little, if only because he hasn't... exactly been well, but... ]

Mm, I'm getting better, I think! Thank you... I brought snacks. There's sweet and savory, so I hope you'll like them. You're really getting better! How is the new year treating you?

[looseleaves]

Oh, I can show you, then... this way, this way~ ♪

[ He starts to lead her, steps a little quick, but only because he knows the layout already. He's an expert at dodging doctors and nurses by now. ]

I'm surprised you got a job like this... do you go to school, too?

[livesfastdiesung]

I have a feelin' I'd be really behind in an Earth school... [Or was it ahead? Being from the future and all, technically.] It'd be lots different than the stuff I was taught already. I don't know anythin' about Earth, even all the Earthlings I knew didn't know much 'cause they weren't born here!

[looseleaves]

Ehh--?

Earth... lings...? Ah, is that--you're not from Earth at all? [ WAIT WAIT WAIT ] If you're not an Earthling, you're really from space?

i

[cognitivism]

[ It must have been luck he happened to be walking by. Goro should have been surprised that the fountain was still running, and yet? He knew it was likely some oversight or another. He steps over, wondering how on Earth he was going to help Hajime with getting out of we clothing -- but he'd deal with that a little later.

With a pleasant smile, he offers his hand. ]

Are you all right? Here let me help.

[ He's just going to casually ignore the fact he stumbled into his dreams. It's not like he'll recognize him....he hoped. ]

[incogneto]

It's been great, my daughter finally came home.

Thank you, let me just take them to the kitchen!

Were you ...unwell?

[ He asks, though there's a pause as he forgets the word for sick ]

[looseleaves]

Nnnn...

[ The water is freezing. It's hard not to just stay still in hopes that the chill will somehow ignore him if he just doesn't breathe. His slight whine drops off after a moment, knowing that he can't exactly help anyone if he's just stiff like this, but he hears a voice and finally opens his eyes to look up.

If Hajime recognizes Goro, it's not obvious. He blinks at the other boy before reaching for his hand, pink touching his cheeks at the embarrassing situation he's caught himself in. He makes a quick look around, just to make sure there's no one taking photos or something like that. ]

Th--thank you...

[ The previous victim is already on their feet, spilling out apologies and fretting, but Hajime has his practiced smile despite freezing. ]

A-ah, it's alright, it's alright... you're okay...? I'm glad you weren't hurt. ♪ You should change out of those quick...

[ He turns back to Goro with the same smile even if it's touched with concern, though he's rustling through his bag to take out a handkerchief. ] Sorry, I got you all wet, too...

[looseleaves]

[ He hands him the bag containing the snacks--he always tries to get something Japanese, and this time is no different. The soy chips are dotted with sesame seeds and bits of wasabi, chestnuts infused with a sweet syrup that isn't too cloying.

There's a warm smile at Erik's words nonetheless. ]

Ah, that must be a great New Year's gift. I didn't know you had a daughter... I hope she's finding everything easily here.

Hehe, 'sick'? I wasn't ill. I don't get sick very often, my body's really strong! It's all just, hmm... seasonal sickness? They say December is so dark that people get sad easily... I think?

[cognitivism]

Don't worry. It's nothing. [ He smiles, before he looks around. ] You are soaked, however. Why don't we find something for you to change into.

[ Besides, after dream walking he wanted to offer him an outlet. Being alone, in his own apartment with his thoughts as an idol was difficult. It was stifling, and he often wondered if having someone to talk to would ease his burdens. ]

Are you hurt at all?

[livesfastdiesung]

From Windermere! It's not really a planet lots of people have heard of. [Among there being countless various humanoids in Macross, their cluster is ultimately considered pretty backwater.] The galaxy is really big and Earth is really far away!