(no subject)

[monster_san]

WHO: Fuu Hououji and you
WHERE: Heropa & Nonah
WHEN: Throughout August
WHAT: Fuu is out and about in the summer!
WARNINGS: None.


Heropa and Nonah, out'n'about
[In the run-up to the school year starting again, Fuu wants to get in as much of her actual job as she can... that is, writing video game reviews for a man who takes editing a teen entertainment magazine way more seriously than any one person possibly should.

So she's wandering around the arcades (the lovely air-conditioned arcades) and outside; if you're at a game or playing a game or if you're even concentrating on your phone a little too hard, you might find her looking over your shoulder.]

At the beach

[August is a time for swimming! Or, if you're Fuu, finding some less crowded areas of Florida beach to do a little magic practice. Today she's seeing how much sand she can pick up with her Binding Winds spell and how fine a blade she can shape with her Emerald Typhoon. Though keeping in mind the setting, she keeps it more to an Emerald Light Breeze.

She notices that even modest displays of magic seem to be clearing the beach more than they ought, and sighs at the suspicious looks being aimed at her. This hadn't happened in June.]

Oh dear. It seems I'm still being viewed as a witch.

It's not easy being green (St. Walker)

[Well, it's been a couple of months now since that incident where people were living out altered lives. That's long enough for it not to be so awkward anymore, right?

So she'll head over to Walker's house and ring the doorbell--she's got a few treats that the woman at the animal rehab place told her would suit an opossum, and for Walker himself, some tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

???

[Got another idea or want one? Drop me a line!]

Comments

[tactical_lalafel]

[Within the arcade, a crowd has gathered around one of the descending claw machines, notable in that it's predominantly small children, many of whom are hugging stuffed critters of the type within the machine to themselves.

A closer look will reveal the reason - perched atop a stepstool, a look of joyful concentration on his face, Malms is systematically emptying the machine. He doesn't seem interested in the prizes themselves, tossing them to kids particularly excited about one particular character or another without a second thought before feeding more tokens into the machine once again.]

[monster_san]

[Fuu takes note of the children congregating around the claw machine, but she can't see who it is that's so methodically fetching things out of it.

She finally spots him when she politely nudges her way through the crowd of children and sees someone familiar, who isn't one.]

Oh my, Mr. Vovokosi! I had no idea you were such an expert at this game.

[tactical_lalafel]

[Having successfully captured another prize, Malms looks up to see who's talking to him. He grins up sheepishly at her, still a foot shorter even with the stool.]

Oh, hello! I saw something I recognized in here, and I... may have gotten a bit carried away. There was a game very like this, the Moogle's Claw, at the Gold Saucer back home - I'd generally play a round or two anytime I passed through, and give the prize to the next child I met who seemed like they could use a gift.

[monster_san]

[Fuu leans over the largely emptied stock of stuffed animals.]

Judging by the practice you've made on this, am I right in guessing that the Moogle's Claw is a little more difficult than this ordinary metal one? [She taps on the plastic.] It's certainly made you quite popular around here!

[though she wonders if he'll be so popular with the owner of the arcade.]

at the beach!

[drizzle]

Well, at least, they aren't asking making a ruckus about it though. It's better to be avoided and given cold glances than being told their feelings, right?

[There will be a weak smile as Nike is standing behind Fuu with curiosity in her gaze as she is eating her ice cream cone.]

If it helps, they aren't exactly afraid of you. Heropa's citizens are used to our kind. They're just...uneasy over what happened a month ago. [A pause.] At least, that's the sense I am getting from it all.

[Before she allows the other girl time to think on the meaning behind her words, Nike will change the subject.]

Can you use wind spells, by any chance?

[monster_san]

[Fuu's smile is much fuller than this girl's--she looks familiar, from the network, though Fuu hasn't spoken to her.]

You know, that isn't such a bad way to look at it. Given how impolite some people are, I'd rather meet those who speak only behind closed doors. [she sighs. she does understand why the residents of this Earth blame them--it's not exactly fair, but it's a common human reaction.

But as she's changed the subject, onto something of interest to boot, Fuu is happy to go with it.]

Yes, it's my specialty--all of my magic is based in the wind. Are you also a magic user?

[drizzle]

I don't blame you. The feelings mutual on my end over it as well.

[Although she wouldn't mind being yelled at every now and then, she does admit: it hurts to be rejected. Even if they are strangers. She is certain it is the same for the girl next to her. No, it definitely was if her comment and earlier expression was any indication.

Watching the other girl smile even more, it will get Nike to return it especially over the subject of wind powers.]

Really? You're the first person I've met outside of my family that specializes in wind powers. I know someone who can manipulate water and summon lightning, but not the wind. Not until now, at least. How do you control the wind? [Can you tell she is very happy to hear about this?] You could say that, yeah. My powers are more connected to nature than just one element though.

[monster_san]

[Fuu nods. She hopes that people will feel easier around them soon--really she'd prefer not to be an object of such scrutiny in the first place, but wishing for that doesn't do much good.

She'll happily accept the subject change, especially because it's so interesting.]

Really? That's a more comprehensive ability than mine, then. One of my friends can use fire, and the other water, so we're more like an elemental set. [She cups her cheek in one hand.] Mine isn't an inherited ability... it's more like a gift that was granted to me. I didn't think it was as uncommon as that, though.

OBVIOUSLY MY PROMPT :))))

[burnseternal]

Coming!

[Saint Walker's voice rings out of the house, but quite unlike him, he's not at the door immediately. He sounds as cheerful as usual, but usually he comes to the door immediately... is something wrong?

No, not really. His tardiness is explained when he opens the door still wearing oven mitts, embroidered with lovely little flowers.]

Ah, Fuu! What a pleasant surprise!

[monster_san]

[The delay is indeed curious, but when the reason is revealed Fuu can't help but smile, pressing a hand to her cheek. It's just like Saint Walker to have such cute accessories!

Though it does bring her mind back to the reason she decided to pay a visit.]

I'm glad you think so! It looks like I interrupted you, but perhaps it was an interruption well-timed.

[burnseternal]

But of course! I can hardly eat my confections on my own. They're meant to be shared, and the more the merrier. It is probably for the best that my housemates do not eat the whole thing themselves, [he says, a mite teasingly, then steps aside.] Please, come in!

[He won't ask about the meaning for her visit just yet, though. Even if she doesn't have one in particular, he's happy to have her. He adores visitors, and seldom gets them, which makes his errant visitors all the more treasured in his mind.]

[monster_san]

Ahh, naturally! My friend Umi has the same philosophy about her creations. [She giggles.] I'll certainly be happy to take some of the burden from your housemates so they don't end up rolling out of the door.

[She holds up her gift.]

I brought some treats for Mr. Murray, and some tea for you--do apologize to Miss Charlotte for me, though, I don't have much skill in catching flies.

???

[momentaryspring]

[Ryoga knocked at the door of Heropa #31 -- technically speaking, he was living here, but it only seemed polite, since he was basically a stranger.]

Hello? Is anyone home? I'm not selling anything, I promise!

[monster_san]

[Well, is that so? He sounds young, at least, and indeed he doesn't have one of those candy fundraiser boxes or anything, so Fuu smiles when she sees him on the door.]

Yes, I'm home. Is there something I can help you with?

[momentaryspring]

[Oh, it was a girl! Middle schooler? High schooler? He cleared his throat.]

My name's Ryoga Hibiki. Those Americans said I could crash here for a while. This... this is Heropa #31, isn't it? I got a little turned around.

[aka he had to be escorted to the door]

[monster_san]

[HIGH SCHOOL THIS YEAR WHOOP.]

Ah! It's a pleasure to meet you, Hibiki-san--I'm Fuu Hououji. [she bows politely; they've had kind of a rotating round of housemates lately, but she'll treat all of them as though they're staying forever.] Don't worry. I'm sure you'll get used to the ins and outs of Heropa soon. In the meantime, can I get you anything to eat or drink?

Beach!

[blahblahboom]

[After bullying Flynn (again) to help her through the porters without the people there making a fuss, Rita spends her time looking for places to practice her magic. The beach wasn't an ideal spot, but if it weren't for the display of magic catching her attention, Rita might've run off to find somewhere else. She watches for a moment before shrugging]

That's fine, isn't it? It means they wont mess with you.

[monster_san]

[Ah, it's her friend from Philadelphia! Fuu smiles to see her here in Heropa.]

Yes, that is true! Sometimes people do get quite nosy, in a way that interrupts a person's day. [She cups her cheek in one hand.] But I feel as though there should be a middle ground between an object of interest and one of apprehension.

[blahblahboom]

You could try making a different sort of reputation for yourself.

[Rita shrugs, stuffing her hands into her pockets.]

But you wouldn't get much done trying to change the way strangers think of you.

[As Rita knows from experience]

At the beach

[attainment]

[Occasionally, Barnaby takes a jog along the beach, which is how he happens to notice Fuu practicing her abilities -- or, rather, he notices the thinning crowds and pinpoints the most likely cause.]

People with powers weren't always viewed favorably back home, either. [His words are more matter-of-fact than anything. Gently, though, he adds:] If there's one thing you can count on, though, it's that public opinion changes like the wind. Try not to let it get to you.

[monster_san]

[Ah, it's Mr. Brooks! Fuu smiles; she hasn't seen him in a little while. And his insight is valuable, being experienced as a professional hero.]

What an appropriate simile. [She knits her fingers together.] It's a natural reaction for people to be afraid of imPorts, knowing that there are those like Mr. Calendar Man who create mayhem. Even though there were many more of us working to stop him...

Still, you're right, it's better to wait for these things to pass. I'm sure if they were to throw another convention there would still be plenty of attendees.

[attainment]

[He politely returns the smile. Fuu is young but earnest, a little like a certain hero he worked with back home, so she’s surprisingly easy to talk to.]

He isn’t the first, and he won’t be the last. [That’s the unfortunate truth of the situation.] We have to keep reminding the public that our abilities can be used for good too. It was a similar situation where I’m from, and there was never a shortage of fans who wanted to shake our hands back there either.

[burnmetwice]

[Kazu had actually come to the arcade to bother Tetsuo, who'd been employed here for approximately forever. But Tetsuo was busy, there was an old school Dance Dance Revolution set up, not many people around... Kazu had been a teenager during the early 2000's; he couldn't resist.

His A-T—rollerskates, to anyone else's eyes—are tied together and slung over one shoulder but even with the extra burden he is doing ridiculously well. Butterly is playing; 'Perfect' is continuously raining down the screen. HIGH SCORE. Kazu crows in victory and stretches, twisting his shoulders to loosen them up.

And then he notices he's being watched and nearly jumps out of his skin.]

UM. H-hi?!

[monster_san]

[To a girl circa 1993, even one here since January, things like DDR still have a glow of innovation about them. So when she sees the boy playing, she watches quite closely.

And when he realizes it, she smiles brightly, as though she hasn't been staring at him like an entomologist staring at an anthill.]

Hello! My, that was an impressive score you just reached--I don't think I've ever seen anyone achieve that.

[burnmetwice]

[Kazu fidgets intensely with his beanie, sidling off the dance pad.]

Er. I. Thanks?? Yes! My skills are unrivaled in this country! ... Mostly because nobody cares about this game any more.