(no subject)

[substrategist]

WHO: Sakuma & Open
WHERE: Heropa and Nonah
WHEN: All of April (except the 1st)
WHAT: Catch-all for the month
WARNINGS: TBD
NOTES: Brackets or prose, I'll match whatever you prefer. Closed starters in comments. Open prompts below the cut. Don't see a prompt that works for you? Feel free to write your own or hit me up so we can plot something specific together!


a. AFTER SCHOOL IS OVER
LATE AFTERNOON & EARLY EVENING DURING THE WEEK IN NONAH

[The irony of being exPorted for the entire duration of 'April Fool's Day' hadn't eluded Sakuma, but to say he found any amusement at all in the timing would have been a gross miscalculation of his patience. He recognized that he was fortunate not to have been absent any longer than he already was, and that he was more fortunate still to have made his way back to his friends' sides at all, but knowing the undue stress his disappearance would have caused both Kidou and Genda...

Well, he didn't feel very lucky. Instead, even though there was nothing he could do to change the past and there'd been no way he could have stopped the Porter from playing its tricks, he felt guilty. Like, somehow, he'd let down the two people who mattered most to him here in this world or even back home. They didn't see it that way, of course. Neither one would have ever blamed him for something that only the AI in the Porter could control, but it was a weight Sakuma nevertheless carried around with him the entire first day back. And yet, that same weight allowed him to appreciate the silver linings that miraculously still existed.

Having been Ported out on the weekend, he was given plenty of time to mentally readjust so that, by the time Monday rolled back around, he was no longer distracted at school and seemed, outwardly at least, as if everything was fine.

Which wasn't to say that his disappearance hadn't changed anything, because it had, but it was surprising to him that none of the ways that things were different were actually bad. They were simply...ways that he had to get used to, which seemed a common enough experience among imPorts, and one they each had to come to terms with on their own. And his method of accomplishing that was to keep busy and find ways to be productive in his spare time.

When he wasn't at school, working, or practicing his soccer, he had a brand new ability to get a handle on, and he couldn't think of a more discreet way to practice using it, or a better time, than on his way to the Porter in Nonah after school had finally let out.

He was cautious as he followed different people around, focused on keeping his distance and testing his range — perhaps even too focused. For he seemed almost to have forgotten that as an imPort, and as someone who's appearance wasn't 'ordinary' by any means, he still stood out more than he would have liked...]

b. SHOOT FOR YOUR GOALS
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND BEFORE DARK AROUND HEROPA

[For all the ways in which this world was awful, one of the most glaring and intolerable was its idea of soccer. The sport, insofar as Sakuma knew it, was teeming with life and energy, and while the soccer that people played here wasn't dead, it also wasn't alive in the same way, either. He was able to play with his peers at school, but he was constantly reminded of the differences in the levels of their abilities.

He had to be mindful of the strength of his kicks and, perhaps worst of all, he couldn't even use any hissatsu. The advantage his techniques would give him wouldn't be fair to the other players, for one. And for another, he didn't want to endanger anybody or ruin what fun everyone else found in such a simple activity.

Being forced to hold back wasn't simple, however. Especially when Sakuma remembered that he'd been about to take on the world with his team in the FFI tournament. Curricular soccer wasn't just a huge step down from that, it was a gigantic plummet into a pit that seemed bottomless, and not one he was convinced there was a way out of, either. At least, not as long as he remained here in this world. So few people from home were here, not even enough to make up half a team. But, depressing as that was, it wasn't any reason to let himself wither. Being unable to play his soccer at school didn't mean he couldn't play at all, or that he couldn't practice. And after the invasion of anachronisms last month, Sakuma realized now more than ever how important it would be to keep his skills sharp.

There were plenty of places to practice around Heropa, especially with its weather so much warmer than Nonah's had ever been. And so, when Sakuma couldn't be found in his own backyard at Heropa 032, he'd take to the park or to empty parking lots behind large plazas to practice individual skill and control, kicking around a ball summoned by a sound most people wouldn't ever expect to hear in the heart of Florida.]

c. OUT OF THE CONCRETE JUNGLE AND INTO THE ZOO
ANYTIME DURING THE DAY ON THE WEEKEND IN EITHER HEROPA OR NONAH

[Every now and again Sakuma behaved the way a teenage boy was expected, and while he never completely forgot about the things that worried him, he found it easier to give himself a temporary reprieve from worldly concerns when he visited the zoo. There, surrounded more by animals than people, or at least capable of tuning out the human ambiance, he seemed infinitely more at ease.

Unsurprisingly, he spent most of his time watching the penguins either from the indoor viewing area where their underwater antics could be watched more closely, or from a platform outside that allowed spectators to better take in the whole of the group as they waddled around or slid about on their bellies. When he wasn't there, however, he could be found observing any number of the sea life performances, contentedly watching puffins swim, polar bears play, or seeing precisely why everyone was making such a big fuss over watching animated movies on the new 4D theater.

He absolutely could not be found browsing through everything penguin that filled the souvenir shop, from mugs to postcards, key chains to hats, and t-shirts to plush stuffed animals.

...except he could totally be found there, quietly pondering to himself how much or how little he could afford to buy. At least, when he thought nobody he knew might be looking!]

Comments

CLOSED to GENDA

[substrategist]

[Every morning when Sakuma rises and heads to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for Kidou, Genda, and him, he's reminded of just how low supplies in their home have gotten. Between the establishing of their personal curfew, still needing to go to school, and needing to work in order to support themselves, none of them have found the necessary time to run any errands.

Or perhaps it's that they haven't even tried?

Following the still recent string of murders that occurred in Maurtia Falls and Heropa, the anachronism invasion, and his own temporary Port-Out, the idea of being separated for any length of time isn't one that seems to sit well with the trio. There was safety in being huddled together beneath the same roof, in hiding away from the world beyond their front door as often as they could while still maintaining an appearance of normalcy.

But how much longer could they really keep that up?

Sakuma knows and loathes the answer simultaneously. If they want something more than a scant helping of rice for dinner, shopping needs to get done today. And if he wants to talk with Genda when it's just the two of them, he'll find no better opportunity than asking the other boy to help him bring home items from the store. With Riku next door should anything go wrong, and Kidou still being able to contact Genda and him in case of emergency, he should feel more confident leaving Kidou on his own. But he doesn't. He still worries, knowing full well that Kidou won't use the time alone to get any of the rest he needs, but will instead preoccupy himself with things that will only increase his already too heavy burden.

Unfortunately, that's just how it has to be for now. Asking anyone else to intervene and watch Kidou would betray his trust, and if there's one thing Sakuma fears more than leaving his captain alone, it's doing anything that might further upset the relationship Genda and he have with him. Maybe once things are back to normal he can chance being more forward, but until then? All he can do is continue to be cautious.

After collecting his wallet and a light spring jacket, he heads to Genda's room and knocks lightly on the door...]

[beastfang]

[The knock is a bit of a surprise considering the time of day. Though, when he opens the door and sees Sakuma standing there, not only by himself but prepared to leave the house. That causes Genda to pause before the actual question he was going to ask can be voiced. Part of him has some idea of what this is about considering how much Genda had shifted to being in the background to allow Sakuma and Kidou time to settle around one another again. The invasion had likely stalled this, but it seemed Sakuma was ready to figure out just why there was this odd schism between him and Kidou.]

Sakuma.

[Despite it just being the other's name, Genda's tone and expression on his face tells more then his actual words. He knows this is overdue and that something has come up that would make the other feel that leaving Kidou alone even briefly was needed.]

[substrategist]

[Sakuma meets the other boy's gaze without faltering, and it seems in that moment they both understand that whatever request he has is much more than it appears on the surface. Indeed, it's unavoidable that he asks.]

If you're not too busy, would you come with me to the store?

[Whatever sense of security they've manage to find in steady routine and each others' company isn't false, but it is limited. Especially when the very glaring fact that they're all still quite separated within their home remains indisputable. Asking Kidou about the cause seemed difficult to do with his captain's burden already so heavy, but Genda...well, as Teikoku's goalie, he was capable of shouldering quite a bit on his own. And Sakuma needed to speak with him about another matter, besides. It was asking a lot, but nothing he felt Genda couldn't handle, especially between the two of them.]

[beastfang]

Of course.

[Even if he was somehow busy he would have put it aside at the request, even if the undercurrent of what is likely to be brought up during the walk there and back is not exactly one he'll likely ever be truly ready for.

Yet, it was one that had to be had just so Sakuma would know what Genda has done.]

Should I bring some cloth bags with us?

[Because, Genda still was not fully behind the plastic bag craze that this country had when they didn't seem to really have proper disposal methods set up for said bags. Especially when they practically gave you a half dozen during each trip at minimum.]

B

[matataku]

You're pretty good.

[The voice is gentle, coming from around the corner, hands in his pockets and bag slung around his wrist. Groceries for Ulvida, mostly, as she'd asked him to pick some up on his way home from the cafe he often visited to grab treats for her. It wasn't often he saw someone freely playing soccer--the game was popular, but not nearly as central to the world as it was in his own.

It was nice to see someone just as into it as he was other than Kidou or Ken or Ulvida. But of the three of them, he was the striker at heart, and knew most of all what it meant to be limited by this world's idea of soccer. Not being able to put your everything into a shot was almost painful, his heart just wanting to show his love through the sport as much as he could.

Soccer felt...hollow. He'd accepted it for what it was, but there was no denying that it was an empty shell of what it could be.

Brushing his red hair out of his eyes, he steps closer, the figure looking a little ...familiar. He knows this isn't someone he's played soccer against, but at the same time.

He knows that hair...that eyepatch.]

...

[A pause overtakes him for a moment, stopping him in his tracks.]

Are you...?

[substrategist]

[More important than being gentle is the familiarity of that voice.

At once, Sakuma recognizes its owner and, even before he successfully brings a vibrant red and white soccer ball to a halt at his feet and turns to gaze at the other boy, he's wearing a small, satisfied smile. It's impossible to hide how much he appreciates receiving that compliment because he's worked hard to get to where he is, but he's even more grateful to have found the company of another friend from home, someone he and the others can count on to some extent, whose soccer isn't so different from their own. Even if there appears to be things that Kidou is keeping from Kiyama, having allies is a blessing and a comfort.

Sadly, the moment he makes eye contact is about the same time that feeling of satisfaction slips away, too.

He's been warned about the time discrepancies the Porter causes and has even witnessed for himself what it is like to be drawn from a different point in time than his friends, but Sakuma hasn't prepared himself for being barely recognized or even borderline forgotten. It is a strange feeling being regarded in that way when, back home, despite not being extraordinarily close, he and Kiyama were still teammates, both of them players for Inazuma Japan. The sting he feels at that friendship suddenly seeming nonexistent is small but nevertheless persistent, lurking just beneath the surface of his newly neutral exterior.

Here they are, having to start all over again. It's yet another thing Sakuma can add to his growing list of reasons why he doesn't much care for this world — none of which are Kiyama's fault, of course. And it's for that reason he so willingly offers his name when it seems like that's what the other boy is reaching for.]

...Sakuma Jirou.

[As far as (re)introductions go, this isn't too bad a place to begin. All things considered, it could certainly be a lot worse.]

[matataku]

[There it is, small and comforting relief brought to his face as he hears that name. Kidou's friend from Teikoku. He'd met him all but briefly when they were gathering to be representatives for Inazuma Japan. But it had only been a greeting from afar, before they were thrust onto teams and forced to compete for their place in the FFI.]

Sakuma-kun.

[He doesn't bother with the formalities, immediately resorting to talking to him as if they'd been friends for years. After all, he may not know Sakuma very well, but he'd seen what Shin Teikoku had been, he'd seen how much pain the boy had been through. And to see him now walking with a strength he could only wish he had, it's admirable. It's worthy of his respect, and more importantly, a hopeful friendship.]

I'm sorry. I'd only known you as a competitor for Inazuma Japan's representatives. [His eyes soften, looking down at that soccerball.] I'm sorry for a lot of things, actually.

[He won't say it out loud, but his phrasing makes it almost unmistakable what he's referring to.]

But your form. You're a striker...?

Maybe a midfielder...

[substrategist]

It's alright.

[He shakes his head, not to dismiss the other boy's feelings or rudely reject his apology, but to imply silently that he doesn't believe Kiyama has anything to apologize for, not really. Whatever happened before...it's in the past now. Where it belongs and where it will stay. There is no reason for hostility between them, and no reason for anyone to make amends.

Besides, Shin Teikoku wasn't Kiyama's fault to begin with. Blaming him for what happened would be like blaming Genda or himself, or even Fudou. He knows they're all accountable for the parts they played, but...while he hesitates to call any of them victims, they were all being manipulated and used by adults who were in positions they should have been able to trust.

In any case, remembering that time, much less speaking about it, is something he prefers to avoid. It is, and probably always will be, a sore spot. One he's glad Kiyama offers him an out from having to discuss at all.

With a nod, he confirms the other boy's observation.]

Midfielder. [And sometimes forward.] You have a good eye.

[As expected of a former captain and anyone good enough to compete in the FFI.]

CLOSED to LAPIS

[substrategist]

[Penguins aren't the only creatures at the zoo that Sakuma loves to visit and watch, even if they are by far the ones that hold his attention the longest. As such, if one doesn't happen by their habitat or if he should happen to lose track of time, it's easy to miss that he was ever at the zoo at all. But some days he'll wander around and peek in on the other exhibits, particularly if it means not having to stray very far from any of the aquatic animals.

By now, most of the zoos employees are familiar with him, but there are always a few new faces depending on which day he has free to visit, and the time. And considering that he's still very new, having only spent one month in this world so far, it's no wonder he hasn't run into Lapis here.

And no surprise that when he does, his reaction is that of unguarded surprise. Infinitely quieter than the squawk he'd emitted during their first encounter, his sneakers still betray his presence as he comes to a sudden stop near the guardrail separating spectators from sea lions.

Maybe if he hightails it out of there fast enough she won't even know he was there.]

he probably wishes it wasn't though tbh

[oceanthief]

[yeah, Sakuma, you wish. even when she's relaxed during her time on the clock, it's impossible to completely rid someone of thousands of years of paranoia; the sound of rubber screeching to a halt might as well have been a firecracker going off in terms of subtlety.

it's especially noteworthy since this isn't the part of the day when the sea lions were publicly fed, meaning that the passersby were few and far between at the moment. Lapis was only in the enclosure to set out some enrichment items, tasty fish frozen into large icy blocks to stave off boredom. she looks up as the last ice cube floats out from shore, mild curiosity quickly being replaced with recognition.]

Oh, it's you.

[thanks, Lapis. with a brief flap of her wings she scales the 'cliff' between them, the watery appendages retreating back into her gem as she perches on the other side of the guardrail. it'd probably be pretty cute if you were a person not completely terrified of her.]

Are you supposed to be here?

[the zoo can be a pretty active place, not to mention how intimidating some of the animals could be. she's wondering if he didn't mean to go somewhere else, and has just been wandering around terrified this whole time. it'd explain the sudden stop.]

there's no probably about it

[substrategist]

[Too surprised by the sudden sprouting and flapping of water wings, not to mention the way Lapis lands just opposite him on the other side of the guardrail, Sakuma doesn't have the presence of mind to be offended by her implication.]

I didn't know you could fly!

[As he takes a step back, more for propriety's sake than anything else, he wonders just how much else she can do with her weird abilities that he hasn't seen or even considered.

Which doesn't at all answer her question and, after a moment, he finally seems to realize this and stiffens a little indignantly.]

I have just as much right to be here as you do.

rip minty child

[oceanthief]

It's not like you ever asked me about it.

[which, considering the long string of demands and accusations he made during their first meeting, is really kind of his own fault. her wings are a point of pride - a sign of her wholeness - and she'd have been something approaching happy to show him.

...on the other hand, that might have given him a heart attack. it's tugh to find that line with Sakuma.]

Sure, but that doesn't mean you came in on purpose.

CLOSED to TEIKOKU

[substrategist]

[It's exhausting having to worry about so much all the time, and being so powerless to affect or change the worst things in their lives, but one thing Sakuma has the power to influence for the better are his teammates spirits. Knowing them like he does, he knows that both Kidou and Genda are overworked and underplayed. None of them have had much time for recreation lately, and they've spent even less quality time together that wasn't instigated by one crises or another.

Making movie night that much more necessary.

He'd gotten the idea after the Swear-In, but until now hadn't really found an opportunity to implement it. But with all three of them home at the same time, and the fridge and pantry both relatively stocked once again, it seems as good a night as they'll get to curl up on the sofa and forget about politics, war, and dangerous imPorts — by focusing on penguins instead.

After making some popcorn (a bag he splits into three small bowls, one for each of them) and corralling his teammates into the living room, Sakuma sets Happy Feet to play and takes a seat at one end of the sofa.]

[tacticianing]

[Movie night, regardless of what Kidou felt at the time, was absolutely necessary.

As Sakuma moves to put the movie in, Kidou stands at his side, arms folded, looking for all the world as if he had something to do with this idea coming to fruition instead of putting up mild protest until he heard the chosen title. As Sakuma moves back to the couch, Kidou's head follows him, quickly assessing things. Sakuma's taken one corner. Genda's likely to want the other one, of that he's almost certain. Being crowded was something Genda liked far less than Kidou did.

That would mean that Sakuma's selection leaves Kidou one choice only. He pads after him, coming dangerously close to flopping down on the center seat instead of sitting down more purposefully. If he'd been alone, he wouldn't even have made the effort to disguise it.]

It's been far too long since I've seen this.

[Despite his lack of energy level, he already seems cheered up by the idea. It's true - he could never get tired of watching this movie. Never. It might seem a little childish, but despite all the horrors this world had, Kidou found it genuinely comforting that they had this movie here, too.

And his original two best friends to watch it with. There's a lot to be said for that.]

[substrategist]

Same here.

[Even though it's been disguised, Sakuma registers the way the extra weight settles on the sofa cushions next to him with an extra level of awareness only ever reserved for his teammates, specifically Kidou. The other boy's tiredness is obvious to him, but that's in part because he feels the same fatigue in his bones, and while the way Genda sits (predictably) at the far end isn't near as uninhibited, Sakuma thinks he must feel that same tiredness, too. It makes him doubly glad they've congregated in the living room for something as normal as watching a movie together, and he hopes that it allows some of the tension that's accumulated between them to dissipate.

The movie begins, of course, with a song. Or in the case of one penguin pair, two songs that come together to form single beautiful harmony...]

B;

[sasaeru]

[This particular park in Heropa, especially in the afternoon, tends to get a little crowded. In particular, it gets crowded with a very little party -- that is to say, it's the practice grounds for a local junior soccer league, a gaggle of children ranging between the ages of six and eleven running onto the grass and congregating around a few adults, one of whom is obviously an imPort, to anyone who's come to notice the signs, by the shock of bright blue hair crowning her head.

It's that same blue-haired woman who steers the children out of Sakuma's way most of the week, giving him a slight bow of acknowledgement should their eyes meet, making the effort to give the boy enough room to play as he wishes without putting anybody in harm's way.

However, by the end of the week, the little kids have waited enough. They want to see that soccer up close, and it's in the early afternoon of Friday that some of them break off from the group during a rest period, standing at the edge of the field Sakuma is at and admiring. When Reina, the blue-haired woman (one of their coaches) approaches to get them back to the herd, one of the younger ones points in Sakuma's direction and pipes up cheerfully and loudly,]

Coach! Do you know him? He kicks the ball almost just like you, you know? It lights up and make big noises and everything -- just like you and the other guys' hiss-hiss-- hissatwos!

[substrategist]

[All week long Sakuma has wrestled with whether or not to introduce himself to the two coaches and their juniors who have been sharing the field with (and staring at) him, and all week long he has opted instead to keep to himself. The less he interferes with their practices, the better it is for everyone, especially when the girl with the blue hair has gone to great lengths to keep the younger and more easily distracted children from wandering too near. And, much to Sakuma's satisfaction, she's been successful, too.

That is, until Friday, when he finds that several of those children have finally gotten away from her. They hug the sidelines nearest the strip he's chosen to occupy for his own practice, well-behaved and quiet while he runs through various individual drills and, against the sturdy trunk of a nearby tree, even practices his shoots.

However, when the children pipe up at her approach and he hears that familiar word, Sakuma makes a quick connection. She must be Aliea's Ulvida...the one Kidou told him about. He hadn't recognized her at first as anything more than another imPort, but why should he have? They've never crossed paths before now and, as far as he can recall, she hasn't even appeared on the network since he arrived. Of course, with so much going on, he hasn't really had the time or presence of mind to look for her, either. But her age (unless his guess is wrong) looks to be about accurate, and Kidou would have told him if there were other people from their world here who could use hissatsu.

Bringing his ball to a halt at his feet, Sakuma makes eye-contact with her...only to realize that he's not even sure what he should say, much less what he should call her. He doesn't know her real name, and Kidou had used Ulvida — but was that the name her juniors knew her by? He hesitates to say anything at all to keep from saying the wrong thing or giving the younger kids any reason to distrust her.]

[sasaeru]

[The name the kids do call her by, as they continue to chat eagerly at her, is "Vida." It was a shorter and sweeter nickname to her already-fake alias, and easy to pronounce and easy to spell. Her true name was something she'd yet to give away and had no intention of doing so with. She responds with a small smile to the children, answering them that she didn't, but it was likely others with the same power had arrived as well.

Which, as far as she was concerned, was possible. She didn't recognize this boy, but there were plenty of people in the world outside the Sun Garden, and it would only make sense that the chances of her meeting strangers was higher than someone she knew showing up. This must be a friend of Kidou's, or even Endou's -- although the latter is no longer here -- and when she looks up from the children and her eyes meet his one, she simply bows her head politely, knowing there's no immediate reason for her to be hostile at all.]

I'm sorry if they interrupted you. I've been watching you practice during the week... it is true that you seem to know hissatsu.

c

[resipiscent]

[Riku's in the gift shop himself. He wasn't really planning on stopping, but then he thought maybe Naminé or Aerith might like something, and then he'd gotten completely sidetracked.... it didn't matter now, really. The animal categories don't seem to be in any particular order -- he's looking at leopard gecko things for Naminé when there's movement at his peripheral and he turns, curious.

This is Kidou's friend, he remembers. Sakuma. The boy who had looked at him with such defiance, determined to protect his friend as he was. They hadn't really interacted at all since then, and Riku feels a little awkward thinking about it now, but... the best way to get rid of awkwardness is to dispel it yourself, right?

And also: penguins? Hadn't Kidou also...?]

... Hi.

[substrategist]

Riku-san?

[Although Sakuma has only heard that voice a handful of times, he's familiar enough with it by now to recognize its owner. When addressed, he turns slowly to regard the older boy over his shoulder, failing to deposit a 4-piece set of penguin cups back on the shelf and instead clutching them tightly in between his hands.

It's strange to see him here of all places, although maybe not as strange as it would be if he hadn't recently witnessed Riku struggling to sell flowers on the network. Nevertheless, the lighthearted atmosphere doesn't completely lend itself to an easy introduction. Riku remains someone Sakuma knows very little about, and while the older boy may have helped them a number of times and Sakuma is indeed very grateful for that assistance, he can't quite bring himself to lower his guard in his presence. Not any more than he already has after having been caught unawares...]

Hi.

[Briefly he scans the rest of the gift shop to see if anyone else is accompanying him, only to find that it's just Riku. A fact he isn't sure is comforting or not.]

Are you shopping for someone?

[resipiscent]

[He eyes the cups for a moment -- they're cute, and that's really all the thoughts he has on the matter. It hasn't really occurred to him that this isn't something he's supposed to be seeing.]

Yeah.

[He lifts a little keychain, holding it so Sakuma can see it.]

My roommate -- she's one of my best friends from home, and in this world she has one of these as a pet. I thought she'd like it.

[To be fair, there's another person he should be buying something for, but he's pretty sure Aerith likes plants more than animals...]

[substrategist]

[Although the charm attached to the key ring isn't a penguin, and regardless of the fact that he doesn't know Riku's roommate, Sakuma still nods his head approvingly upon inspection of the little metal lizard. There's no denying that, for someone who has a leopard gecko as a pet, this is a fine gift: attractive and well-made.]

I hope she will.

[He doesn't volunteer that his own pending purchase will be for the benefit of his roommates, preferring not to speak of either of them so freely, but it's probably obvious to anyone who knows at least Kidou, and has sense enough to deduce that the cups are a bit of an extravagant purchase for one person alone. Instead, Sakuma steers the conversation away from their purchases altogether.]

Did you come here just to shop for her?

[That's a bit out of the way for a keychain, but maybe the roommate in question is special.]

shoot for your goals;

[redigere]

[It's the fourth time this week she's heard the sound, and quite frankly, her curiosity is getting the better of her. One of the windows of the house overlooks just a little bit of their neighbor's backyard, and she's taken to lingering next to that window, hoping for some indication of just what in the world they're up to.

The better (and less nosy) thing to do would be to go next door to visit and politely voice her concerns that something might be wrong. It's just a matter of...figuring out how to word those concerns. Naminé ponders over this the whole time she makes a batch of sugar cookies, takes the short walk over, and even as she knocks on the door, loud enough that hopefully whoever is in the backyard can hear her.]

Hello? Is anyone in?

[substrategist]

[Following Naminé's knock there is another birdlike trumpet from the backyard and then a brief stretch of silence. Having dispelled his summoned soccer ball with the red and white penguin-shaped whistle he wears now around his neck, Sakuma listens to see if either of his housemates will address the fact they seem to have a visitor. However, when it seems that Kidou or Genda either didn't hear the girl's voice or they simply aren't home, he heads around the side of the house from the backyard to see for himself who's come calling.

He hasn't met any of their neighbors besides Riku, and as far as he knows, there aren't many other people who know where he and his friends live, so to have anyone at all wander over suddenly is quite unexpected. Not to mention something to be very cautious about investigating.

As he wanders across the front lawn, hands sliding into the sleeveless vest he's wearing, he addresses the girl standing on the front step of their home who appears to be holding...something in her hands. From this distance, he can't be certain what it is, but at least it doesn't appear worthy of too much concern.]

Sorry, I was in the backyard. Can I help you?

[redigere]

[Naminé brightens when finally someone answers, trotting forward to meet him halfway.]

Oh no, it's alright, I'm sorry to bother you when you're busy. [With what, hopefully she'll find out soon?] I'm Naminé, I live next door with Riku. I thought I should finally come by to say hello to our new neighbors.