🐧 Ｓａｋｕｍａ Ｊｉｒｏｕ (佐久間 次郎) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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maskormenacelogs2017-04-04 01:41 pm
substrategist) wrote in maskormenacelogs2017-04-04 01:41 pm
(no subject)
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
b. SHOOT FOR YOUR GOALS
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND BEFORE DARK AROUND HEROPA
c. OUT OF THE CONCRETE JUNGLE AND INTO THE ZOO
ANYTIME DURING THE DAY ON THE WEEKEND IN EITHER HEROPA OR NONAH
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!]
okay but! i'm still in control here. you can't link the thread if it doesn't exist!
I'll stay and watch.
[He's curious to see her interact more with the sea lions, but it would also be good to have the extra time to think and weigh the pros and cons of continuing to socialize with her, not to mention what socializing with her could even stand to offer either one of them.]
with photoshop anything is possible
[Lapis really doesn't have any concept of 'charging admission', but from the practiced response she gives it's obvious that this is a question she's had to answer more than a few times. it's astounding what zoogoers think people in pith helmets ought to just know, even when said person is blue.
another piece of experience floats to the front of her mind, and after a moment or two of silence she tentatively tacks an addition onto her reply.]
...you probably shouldn't sit too close to the front, though.
i don't believe in photoshop! ...or does that only work with fairies?
For all that Sakuma can appreciate sea lions from a distance (in particular, when they're within an enclosure that separates them from his favorite animals), he has too great an affinity for penguins to ever want to get too near their natural predators. And while these sea lions aren't given the same opportunity to hunt as their wild counterparts, Sakuma would nevertheless prefer not to take any chances.
He'd also prefer not to get splashed, which he presumes is the real reason behind Lapis' warning. Which is actually...almost nice of her? Maybe? In any case, it's a gesture Sakuma appreciates, especially considering the severity of their conversation a few minutes earlier. He thinks, even if the topic was one that stung, she isn't angry with him about it. And that's a relief.]
Thanks. I won't.
[For several cautionary reasons, but also because he'll be able to see more from a distance. And perhaps learn more about her, too.]
cottingley would tell you that the two aren't mutually exclusive
[these words are simultaneously more severe and more generalized, rather than prompted by anything Sakuma himself has done. it's not an issue that Lapis has encountered exceedingly often, perhaps thanks to her own unique method of dealing with it, but it's enough of an occurrence that she feels the need to put the kibosh on it preemptively.
he already seemed to struggle with basic concepts like working doors. it'd be foolish of her to assume that he'd automatically know what was and wasn't a trash receptacle, too.]
so photoshop is dead and i win, got it
[Dammit, Lapis. He'd been marginally impressed with the way things were going. Is this what he gets for thinking positively of you for even half a second?
Still, it's probably not something she's saying because she thinks that he'd be inclined to litter, and more something that's become customary for her to say due to other peoples' bad habits. Which, when Sakuma thinks about it, is a lot more upsetting than anything she's said so far. What was wrong with people where they thought it was okay to throw anything into an animal's habitat?
Someone ought to throw them out.]
When does the next show begin?
tell that to arthur conan doyle
Ten minutes from now, I think?
[she turns to look back at the exhibit, taking stock of which sea lions still are and aren't happily swimming around the pool. the answer confirms what she'd just said, and Sakuma receives a quiet little nod to bolster the statement.]
no subject
Oh.
[Ten minutes is actually pretty soon. A lot sooner than he'd been expecting, in fact, making it a rther good thing he asked when he did.]
If it's at the stadium, I should probably meet you there, then.
[He turns, prepared to make his exit, but stops next to Lapis to add in as friendly a manner as he can manage...]
When your show is done, would you like to leave together?
[Because that'll be the only way he'll be able to press her for more information right now, he thinks. And she may even more more willing to talk after playing with sea lions, too.]
no subject
ah, that must be it. he doesn't actually know how to get back out and is trying to cover it up because he's embarrassed for some reason.]
If you need me to, sure.
[she can at least give a little bit of her time to guide some poor, confused human out of here. they probably couldn't get out if they got locked in, unlike Lapis.]
i like how it was a DIFFERENT thread that got me feelsy
Thanks.
[It's not actually confirmation that he needs her, but with a hint of a smile and a nod, it's easily misinterpreted as such.]
I'll meet you outside the stadium afterwards, then.
[With a wave, Sakuma excuses himself. The stadium in question isn't terribly far and he's able to make it there in time before all the seats fill up — but it is a lot more packed than he anticipated. Likely due to Lapis, the gem being an attraction all on her own. Probably, the zoo uses her appearance and abilities to its advantage, a fact that annoys Sakuma a little, and would annoy him a lot more if it didn't mean better care for the sea lions and other marine animals because of the attention her presence garners.
But all that attention isn't enough to get him to actually sit. In fact, it's quite the opposite, the sheer volume of the public's turnout causing Sakuma to linger towards the back of the stadium where it's not only less crowded but also better shaded. He can see the pool well enough from there, and won't have any heads blocking his view from there, either.
Now just to wait for the show to start...]
karma works out like that, always sneaking up on you
from the more distant seats in the stadium it may be impossible to tell, but there's a chance in Lapis' demeanor here compared to her daily activities. her expression remains relatively the same, but there's a sort of easiness in the way that she directs the sea lions to line up in front of her; the people in the stadium may as well be nonexistent, but she loves working with the animals.
it's clear that a lot of the dialogue she gives during the show has been coached to her many, many times in the past, although from the whimsical sort of way that she paraphrases many of them it seems that she still has a few sessions to go before it sticks. the show itself is well worth the crowds it draws - the sea lions and Lapis work seamlessly together, the animals performing without hesitation on the near-magical constructs of water that she creates for them. they've performed together so many times by now that often she doesn't even have to call out the tricks for them.
things move smoothly along...until the very end of the show. as Lapis is giving her scripted goodbyes, the sudden splash of an empty soda cup falling into the water punctuates her words. without missing a beat, an enormous watery hand rises from the stadium pool and plucks the offender from the stands, neatly tossing him out over the top of the stadium. as if none of this had ever happened, she concludes her speech and begins moving for the exit as the hand sinks back into the pool.
at least you'll know where to find your chaperone, Sakuma...]
no subject
It's not as if the guy didn't deserve to face repercussions for carelessly polluting the water of the sea lions, but Lapis' methods were...
...well, extreme. To say the very least.
Such that, when her performance concludes, the first thing Sakuma does isn't go and see her, but go and check on the man who'd gotten tossed out to make sure that he's alright. And he is, Sakuma discovers as soon as he exits the stadium among a throng of people, his attention immediately drawn to the sharp wailing of a man caught by his shirt on the overhang of the entrance. He hasn't any idea if that was Lapis' intention or not, but the softly shaken head of a couple nearby zoo employees indicates that this isn't as uncommon an occurrence as they'd probably like.
In any case, he steps to the side to wait out front like he'd promised he'd do, all the while watching as someone goes to (unhurriedly) fetch a ladder to help get the man down...]
no subject
she spies Sakuma's distinctive minty hair quickly enough, slowing her pace as she comes up behind him. the thought to tap him on the shoulder occurs to her, but she thinks better of it after remembering how skittish he'd been about personal contact last time. there was no reason to rattle him further when he was already probably really anxious about being lost.
thankfully having finished up the sea lion show gives her an instant solution for her problem. hopefully Sakuma's pants are already a bit damp, because a few moments later Lapis is blowing the whistle she'd used during the exhibition right in his ear.]
no subject
...all while a couple stragglers leaving the stadium look on and giggle at the sight of them both. They know as well as Sakuma does that Lapis isn't helpless, but she's just so small, and he's a boy, so of course it's funny. To everyone but him.
After a moment, he takes a breath and lets the tension fall out of his shoulders, though there's still a hardness to his visible eye, a clear indication he's annoyed.]
What was that for? You could have just called my name.
i'm amazed at how you can always time these big spurts for right when i'm in the shower
I wasn't sure if my voice would be loud enough on its own.
[she's hardly accustomed to shouting these days, weird pseudo-defeatist that she is. anything involving her specifically seemed to put Sakuma particularly on edge anyway, for whatever reason. the whistle seemed a lot more neutral.]
And now if you get lost you'll know what sound to look for to find your way back.
[that's...kind of thoughtful, in its own way. at least Lapis is taking this gross misconception kind of seriously.]
so am i tbh
[Oh. That's right. She thinks she's helping him by showing him around. As if he doesn't know precisely where he wants to go and how to get there.
In fact, the only thing he doesn't know...is what he's doing right now. Dealing with her. It can't be a good idea, and yet he's trying. He has to. Because, friend or foe, he has to know what kind of threat she poses or could pose his friends and him. Not knowing is simply out of the question.
He rubs at his ear and then nods, setting aside his pride for now. A difficult task, but not impossible.]
Right. Yeah. Just...don't do that so close to my ear next time, alright?
all these hidden talents of your finally coming to the surface
[there's no way of him knowing, of course, but her agreement doesn't mean very much for his hearing should she ever feel the need to bust out the whistle again; in all likelihood she'll simply squat down so she's blowing it at roughly chest height instead.
right now, though, it seems that she's accomplished her goal. she daintily moves the weapon of mass hearing loss into the helmet in her other hand before...holding them both behind her back? it feels like a magic trick - even more so when her hands return to the fore completely empty. whatever happened, Lapis doesn't find it spectacular enough to warrant even the slightest comment.]
Are you ready to go now?