( OPEN ) the sun it calls me back again

[girlybruiser]

WHO: HARU and YOU
WHERE: Various places.
WHEN: The month of January.
WHAT: A fluff going about her daily life, starting classes, planting things, potentially unadvised things. Who knows! If you would like to plot something, please PM me on this journal or at kitties.
WARNINGS: None for now.

---

♛ BACK TO SCHOOL | nonah ( university grounds, local spots )

[ Back in her Tokyo Haru wasn't afforded the level of privacy or obscurity she partly reveled in here once she had gotten her bearings. Everyone knows who the Okumuras are, what they do, and where they might be found. Being in the public eye has trained Haru in many ways, which she is surprisingly grateful for, but to a point it could be exhausting. At the very least, whenever she does return home, with the Okumura Foods scandal having died down completely, she can focus on her career without too much hindrance.

Here, unless people figure out she's an imPort, she can walk down the street without anyone doing a double-take or catching from the corner of her eyes people's heads leaning in to whisper to one another. It's been nice not having to deal with any kind of pressure from strangers.

But it doesn't last too long once she's begun her classes at the local university in Nonah. Rumors that stirred in the admissions office eventually found their way into the ears of students, eventually not taking long for other students to determine the girl with the curly hair studying Business alongside them is the imPort in question.

At first, it doesn't bother Haru much to satiate their curiosities, but as it becomes a daily occurrence when she's trying to walk to class, the library, the cafeteria, or even to the bathroom, it starts becoming... a bit exhausting and difficult to focus on her studies.

It's why sometimes she can be found nearby at the mall in the food court or a local cafe enjoying a private meal. With most of her books in tow, they might accidentally take up table space someone needs. Oops! She'll move them if someone asks nicely. ]

♛ TED KORD MEMORIAL CENTRE | heropa

[ Deep in the building, out in the garden, anyone wandering through will overhear the light footsteps of an imPort shuffling around in the dirt. There's the occasional mumble, something along the lines of "this will do" — evidently a young woman's voice. It sounds like she's hard at work, the clanging of gardening tools echoing throughout the air when she accidentally drops a spade onto the ground. It scrapes lightly against the floor as she drags it back closer to herself.

Haru can be found bent over before a flowerbed she's working on, dressed in blue overalls that are stained with patches of soil and grass all around the legs and partly around the torso. All the way to the left side of the flowerbed sits valerian, still growing in. Beside it now Haru has planted not one, but three more flowers, though they are much smaller than the valerian, the nasturtium especially.

She's quite pleased with her work, taking a moment to step back so she can picture what the flowerbed will look like once the flowers have properly grown in. ]

Not quite the arrangement I would prefer, but this will have to do.

♛ RESIDENCE #001 | heropa ( open to housemates )

[ Another brand new change Haru has had to adjust to besides her classes is her new housing and roommates. Since she normally didn't venture into Heropa often, acclimating to the humidity here has been something of a challenge. She always seems to feel hot, even in the house, cracking open her bedroom window from time to time.

But the peculiar part is now living with Futaba and her girlfriend, and Goro. Although she had insisted it would not have been that strange of an ordeal for her, there are split-second moments when she sees him or a belonging of his in the household that she's reminded they're all under one roof. Though it's for the best — with their numbers dwindled to just the three of them, it's likely safer they stay closer together for the time being.

It is nice there are so many of them in the house. While she misses Keith's company, if her former roommate was elsewhere it was solely her in the house, just like how it was back home. It feels pretty communal — exciting, even.

Right now, she's alone in the house, busying herself in the kitchen. Mostly she's looking for something to drink, opening her fridge to the two bottles of wine gifted to her by her workplace. She's not much of a drinker, though it felt awfully ungracious not to accept their gifts, so two bottles have sat unopened in the fridge for the past week.

Maybe she should treat herself. ]

♛ WILDCARD | wherever, whenever

[ If you have a specific prompt in mind or want one, feel free to PM me! ]

Comments

memorial center!

[lesterzeppelin]

[ As months go by, Apollo finds himself visiting the memorial center more often. Initially, he had planned to drop photos off for the memorial, but as his friends kept porting in and out, so too did his photo collection grow. He had dropped off his last batch of photos when he wanders outside, towards the garden, with his hands stuffed in his pockets.

He's not much of a gardener, really. He wouldn't be able to tell most plants apart from each other, outside of the ones his current demigod companion had shown him, but he can appreciate their beauty. He can also appreciate how hard at work this gardener is, and he instinctively reaches for one of the numerous instruments he carries on his person. His powers may not work here, and she may not want them to work in the dead of winter - but should she want them to grow and bloom overnight, all she need do is ask.

In the meantime, he approaches her, kneeling down and inspecting the flowerbed. ]

I still bet it's going to look really pretty when it blooms. [ He gives her a bright smile, ] Need any help?

[girlybruiser]

[ Oftentimes when Haru is working in a garden she becomes almost hyper-focused on her work that she doesn't catch what's happening in her surroundings. So when Apollo "suddenly" appears, she looks over confused at first, which quickly changes into one of sheepishness as if to say, "Oh, dear! I am sorry I didn't acknowledge you".

Her cheek is smudged with some dirt as usual, her hands absolutely covered. One would think she would use a glove, but Haru enjoys feeling the soil between her fingers. ]

Thank you, I do hope so. [ But she has high hopes the flowers will turn out alright. ] I'm actually just about done. They only need some water now and that will be it.

[lesterzeppelin]

[ In his defense, he should've been louder - but he knows a gardener in her element when he sees one. Apollo didn't want to interrupt her if she had truly been in the zone. ]

Oh! [ He grins, standing up and scanning the garden for the nearest hose. ] I can get that for you.

[ Plus, selfishly, he wants to do what he can. The gardens remind him of the potential for life, and of course, of the one who had shown him the beauty and power that nature could have. He's half-expecting a nature spirit to pop out from the ground and thank Haru for nurturing them... but that would be silly. This Earth doesn't have nature spirits.

He finds a watering can, filling it to the brim and bringing it back to her. Expectantly, since again, he knows zilch: ]

How much should we water them?

[girlybruiser]

[ Haru would die of joy if a nature spirit ever emerged itself from the ground to offer its thanks. But she does what she does because she enjoys creating something from scratch. Something that requires effort and care, but the results are absolutely worth the time spent getting her hands dirty and her arms and back aching from carrying fertilizer around.

She's surprised Apollo appears eager to help out, but she can't contain her amusement either. ]

Not too much since they're still very young. You don't want to douse them.

[lesterzeppelin]

Got it. [ he nods, laughing as he holds the watering can steady and sprinkles water onto the flowers. Back home, his demigod companion had taught him (well, scolded him) on how to water young seedlings. water the roots, water only when needed, and water deeply and thoroughly. let the soil soak up the water, while ensuring that he doesn't overdo it.

He clicks his tongue in deep concentration, trying to do it bit by bit. ]

Um... [ He doesn't want to ask how he's doing, because that feels self-congratulatory, but he is curious - ] I don't know much about gardening, but I think this is really neat. What you're doing here, I mean.

back to school | library

[restingstitchface]

[Crane flips through his book for a few times before stopping to adjust his glasses. He looks directly ahead, grumbles under his breath and flicks the pages a few times more. Whispers are simple things, he reminds himself. They're only frustrating because they interrupt everything else. Revision. Homework.

Both are probably the reason Haru is here. He is standing still by the bookshelf, watching her, imagining there's dark bags under her eyes. He runs a hand over his chin and then his throat, finding it all rather curious.]

Late night partying?

[He asks quietly. This is a library.]

[girlybruiser]

[ Surprisingly, Haru doesn't showcase the dark, puffy eye bags the way her peers around her at other tables do. Some with energy drinks, coffee or giant water bottles situated nearby for them to guzzle down, while Haru has a smaller water bottle tucked into her bag.

Not even a hair or button out of place. Though when she does glance up from her textbook, there is a hint of exhaustion in her eyes. She's able to fight it thus far, but even she knows she might have to call a quits on her studying before her brain can no longer digest the information before her. ]

Hello, Dr. Crane. [ She smiles, a little amused by his question. ] A study party of one, I suppose.

[ She's notably all by herself at the table. ]

[restingstitchface]

[He flashes a small, warm smile at that. Such a nice joke, really. Such a nice joke that she believes anything she does matters. Still, it would be nice if she proved him wrong.]

It's not like plenty of people wouldn't want to join you.

[He scratches his cheek then adjusts his glasses again. She's an imPort and all. Gotta work that celebrity, as Harley would say, right?]

[girlybruiser]

[ Glancing around her surroundings, she does catch one or two eyes focused on the two of them, but the others are so focused on their books while others are nodding off. ]

I know, but I would like to be able to focus on my studies. The other students are very nice, though they sometimes get carried away with their questions.

Memorial

[monster_san]

[Fuu has heard of the memorial that Jaime's established, and it's probably overdue that she pays a visit to it. It's strange to think that she herself might have had a photograph there. Truthfully, she's debating whether or not to look for one at all.

It seems that she's not the only one here, though, and the rattle of trowels and rustle of leaves catches her attention; it's a sound she knows well. Fuu watches for a moment as the girl finishes her work. When she stands up, Fuu takes another step forward, making sure it's audible in an effort not to startle her.]

Those look quite lovely.

[She offers a friendly smile, but one not overtly cheerful--she want to keep a sense of respect for the place.]

[girlybruiser]

[ The nearby sound of footsteps draws Haru's attention to Fuu and for a moment, she stops and stares at the girl, a flicker of familiarity in her eyes.

The girl from the moon station. The one who had helped her.

It's a difficult memory to push back so it isn't at the forefront of her thoughts, the one of blood and screaming, such horrible screaming. Her stomach twists at the thought, eyes focused on the ground between them before she's able to push past it all. ]

Thank you. [ Haru offers back a smile, her cheeks a little warm as her chest swells with pride at her work. ] Do you know much about flowers?

[monster_san]

[Poor Haru. If Fuu knew who it was, she would have been more cautious in her approach. As it is, she's not sure why the momentary stare, but the smile in return is encouraging.]

I'm not an expert, but I do enjoy gardening. It's a lovely way to spend the morning... and it's nice that this climate lets us do it all the year 'round.

My name is Fuu Hououji, by the way. [She bows politely.] May I ask yours?

[girlybruiser]

Yes! An ever changing climate can make it quite tricky to plant flowers or even a vegetable garden. The conditions aren't harsh at all in this part of the US, plus it helps when it is inside a building.

[ It makes her work a lot more easier, which to be honest, is a nice change from having to struggle around getting her garden to grow anything. She's gotten better over time, but it's nice when the odds aren't stacked against you. ]

My name is Haru Okumura. [ Haru also bows respectfully. ] It's nice to meet your acquaintance.

[fource]

[The memorial center is a nice idea, at least for the imPorts who want to be remembered in this world. Quatre's come prepared to leave something behind for Blue-- it just seems right, as a way to say thank you for all of the help when he was first adjusting to his job-- but he's shown up with just a print of a picture for the memorial. It's only once he overhears Haru working in the garden and goes to investigate that he realizes there may be something better to leave behind.]

I think that will look nice, Haru, [he says as if he has any idea what he's talking about, coming around to look at the garden from her perspective.] Are they for someone in particular?

[girlybruiser]

Hm?

[ Haru recognizes the voice by now, but it's still a delight to turn herself around and see Quatre for herself. Her face lights up as it always does, cheeks a soft hue of pink. ]

Thank you, Quatre. Yes, they are um, [ she glances over the flowerbed, rubbing her hands against the overalls ] for my friends. Some that were here who were ported out some time ago.

[fource]

[He gives a cheery little wave when she looks back at him, though he leans in to look at the plants a little closer.] That's a great idea. That's how I'd like to be remembered here, if it's possible. [nicer than a lot of things people could say about him!!] Do the flowers mean anything?

[girlybruiser]

I think flowers are how I would like to be remembered as well.

[ But ultimately, it isn't important that a memorial is set up necessarily. All Haru wants is to be remembered for is her kindness and ability to make others happy. That's the sort of legacy she wants to leave behind.

She nods then, looking over the flowerbed. ]

Yes! Do you know anything about the language of flowers? All flowers have some sort of symbolic meaning to them.

[ She points out the valerian. ]

This one is called valerian and gets its name from Latin. It means to be strong.

housemates

[andtherevolution]

[The new place is nice. It's strange, and exciting, and, though Utena doesn't want to admit it, even a little frightening, but it's nice, isn't it? It's nice to be under the same roof as Futaba, and Futaba's friends, too. And with how many people Futaba lost... well, it's better that Utena's here with her.

Futaba and Haru aren't the only one who's lost friends to the porter, though. Utena just got back from her own trip to the memorial, and she slips off her shoes and dumps her backpack on the floor before heading to the kitchen for a glass of water - ah, there's Haru.]

Oh, hey there. I'm not getting in the way, am I?

[girlybruiser]

Hm? Ah, Utena-chan.

[ While it's going to take a little more time to grow completely accustomed to multiple housemates, Haru is secretly glad she has more female roommates than male. Keith, as wonderful as he was, was ultimately a boy and there were certain... things they might not have ever connected on. ]

Not at all. This is your house as much as mine.

[andtherevolution]

[Alright then, she's just going to grab her glass of water and get out then. When she gets to the cupboard, though, she thinks better of it. Just leaving the room without saying anything doesn't seem right. So, after she fills up her glass, she smiles at Haru and leans against the counter]

Sooo. Got anything exciting planned today?

[girlybruiser]

Nothing too exciting. [ She giggles, but then adds: ] I was going to look on the internet after for some other tips I might not know for gardening, but that was about it.

[ She's about to close the door to the fridge, but glances back at the bottle of wine. ]

What about you?

♛Housmates

[cognitivism]

[ Haru isn't the only person dealing with the adjustment. He's glad, if he's honest, for the noise of his roommates around him. Grateful that he could hear the distant hum of Futaba's computer set up in the hall -- but it was also like walking on eggshells. Goro likes Haru's company, enjoys that she's polite and not slapping him across the face at any given moment, but he knows that they aren't necessarily friends.

Maybe one day that will change.

He is actually surprised to find her looking at the wine in the fridge in the shared kitchen - they weren't old enough to buy alcohol in the US (or Japan for that matter). As much as he could tease her about that part of it, he instead moves to cabinet and pulls down two glasses for the wine. ] <.small>

Long day?

[ Small talk, let's start with small talk and work up to more natural conversations. ]

[girlybruiser]

[ Besides the small glass she's had here and there at functions back home, and only really at the behest of people pressuring her to enjoy a glass, Haru isn't sure if she should dare open the bottle. It's not as if there's anyone to enforce the law on her here, but it is against the law...

But it was also a nice gift and it would be awfully rude to let it go to waste.

Her dilemma is temporarily interrupted by Goro's presence. She looks back at him in surprise, then sees the two glasses. ]

Huh? Oh, no, nothing like that. [ She laughs quietly. ] I was thinking to myself... but um, am I in the way of the fridge?

[ She somehow hasn't figured out why he's pulled out two glasses. ]

[cognitivism]

You look a little lost in thought.

[ He sets the glasses on the counter nearby, before he turns back to face her. Every time he's near her his heart races, and he's constantly on edge hoping he doesn't say or do the wrong thing. ]

No. [ A small pause. ] When did you get the wine?

[girlybruiser]

Do I? Oh...

[ Her face flushes a shade of light red, too preoccupied by Goro's assessment to feel any awkwardness between herself or him now that they live under the same roof. Or maybe she's finding it easier to deal with each passing day than he is? ]

Ah! The wine? [ Now she's embarrassed, as if caught in some unladylike or illegal act. ] I didn't purchase it! Not that I would have been able to without some form of valid ID and even then...

[ She steps away from the fridge then. ]

It was a gift from my workplace. It seems Americans enjoy gifting alcohol to their companies as well.