Operation summer watch

[larsenist]

Who: Akira Kurusu (larsenist) & Etc.
What: Maid Looking Party Catch-All
When: June/July
Where: Everywhere
Warning(s): Out of context P5A references, general ridiculousness.

Custom starters, quests and whatnot as usual, PM this journal or PP noctium if you wanna hash something out! o7

Comments

ryooj // SKYBALL

[larsenist]

[ This may or may not vaguely reminiscent of a certain aerial sport favored by a certain wizarding world (sans the broomsticks). And naturally, Akira's too distracted by the effects of the flight potions to be paying any real attention to the rules of the game (it's just soccer with wings right), content to warm-up and practice indefinitely before their mock match.

He glides over to Ryuji, circling him upside-down for absolutely no reason at all except that he can. ]

Amazing...

[ He flips himself upright, touches his feet to the ground and dribbles the ball for all of five kicks, before abandoning it again to float about some more. ]

...I think I'm getting the hang of it.

[ (What he actually means is: y o l o o o o o o o) ]

[sakabroto]

[This is the one place where Ryuji would think his handle on sports would have done him well. Track might be different from sky soccer, but balance and hand-eye coordination was the same regardless of sport. Unfortunately, when his feet aren't on the ground, things get a little trickier and weirdly enough a little easier at the same time. At least this way he can go as fast as he wants without having to worry about old injuries flaring up.

That said, he actually does care about sports, so watching Akira float by upside down a lot more easily than Ryuji can wakes up his competitive spirit. He pushes off the ground a little too hard and shoots up faster than he meant.]

Whoa! Hey, if you're getting the hang of it, you wanna try a few moves for the game?

[larsenist]

[ Ryuji practically blasts off the ground, and for a second Akira's worried he might bullet right into the stratosphere... (Of course, there's no need for that. The blond has always been quick on his feet, the token Athlete of the crew even with an old injury.) No way their team could lose—though, practice definitely isn't a bad idea either. When was they last time they even had a proper gym class? ]

Think fast.

[ That's a 'yes', and he initiates by sinking back to the ground to scoop up the ball with his foot, lobbing it up to Ryuji in a high arc. ]

yoosk // "TAMING"

[larsenist]

[ After finishing their first of the week-long lessons, they're given some time to explore the fields on their own and attempt some practice, or at least better acquaint themselves with the wild. It isn't long before they attract the attention of one of the many creatures—a large, moss-coated thing approaching them with slow but palpable eagerness.

...There really isn't anywhere for them to retreat to in such an open space, and they've learned enough by now to know they aren't facing anything dangerous. But it's still a little intimidating to be accosted by such an enormous beast, and he automatically blinks over to Yusuke as the lumbering mossley sidles in between them (or rather separates them a good few number of paces).

He blinks back to their visitor, giving its head a tentative pat as he remarks, ]

Three's a party.

[tricksune]

[ He'd come to Khalo to take in the new sights, and as usual Akira is his go-to cohort in his quest for fresh inspiration. But between their impromptu 'homework' and getting to know the lay of the land and village, there hasn't been nearly enough time to put pen to paper. So he doesn't spend their moment of peace here talking to his friend, but hunched over his sketchpad.

But even though there's an entire field for this creature to lounge about, instead it squirms its head between them, pushing them apart as it flops down to the ground, pounding the grass down and dirt up in a small cloud.

Yusuke doesn't notice or mind its arrival until it nudges his arm with its snout, sending his pencil askew across the paper. He lets out a small, offended noise before collecting himself. ]

I don't recall inviting anyone to join us.

[ He's unswayed by how adorable this horrible mossy interruption is, pushing its face a bit in a futile effort for it to move along. It just leans its head against Akira instead, huffing contentedly enough that it blows out his curls a touch. ]

[larsenist]

[ The ground quakes gently with the ancient creature's weight, small tremors passing through Akira's legs where they meet the grass. He squeezes his eyes shut as his fringe is puffed askew, one eye winking open once the warm gale has passed. ]

Maybe it wants to be your model.

[ He has nothing to draw himself (no agenda other than to laze about while Yusuke furiously sketches away), and is perfectly happy to lounge against the beast, uncaring if any plant life gets on him in the process. His hand reaches over to probe gently at the bright flowers adorning its horns. ]

Don't hurt its feelings.

[tricksune]

[ He watches as the gentle giant nuzzles against Akira like an overgrown dog, frowning minutely. ]

It seems perfectly happy to me. Even after ruining my work...

[ His depiction of the placid Khalo landscape, now featuring a dark slash of graphite down the middle. But there's no real bite to his tone, a resigned sigh leaking through his teeth as he sets his sketchpad aside for a moment, curling his legs up towards his chest to give their third wheel a little more room to lounge about. ]

An entire plain's worth of space, and it decides to take root here.

[ It's like someone coming onto the bus and sitting next to you when all the other rows are empty. It must be Akira's fault. He leans his cheek against his palm in lazy observation. ]

Perhaps this is what they mean when they say 'animal magnetism.'

[larsenist]

[ The corner of his lips curl ever so slightly into a grin. ]

Maybe it was just offering a stroke of inspiration. [ A touch of dramatic flair, a dark rupture parting the idyllic scenery like a graphite wound, a symbol of judgement in end times.

...That's probably not how art works. He can't even see Yusuke with the mossley flush between them, but their new friend seems quite content to let Akira drape himself half over its bowed and sturdy neck to catch a glimpse of both artist and sketchbook. (...Yeah. It definitely just looks like a vandalized drawing.) ]

Or maybe it just wants your attention.

[ As if listening in on their conversation, the creature lolls its great cheek toward Yusuke, brushing against his arm once more like an oversized house pet begging for affection. ]

...'Animal magnetism?'

haroo // SHROOMS

[larsenist]

[ He'd been given ample warning about size-shifting mushrooms, and he was so sure he'd be clever enough to dodge them all while passing through the forest. But he hadn't anticipated just how strongly the fyrra would affect him, melt his caution and turn his reflexes into mush.

He isn't watching his step when he lands right on one of the purple plants, and a blink later he doesn't recognize where he is. (The entire ground beneath him is luminescent and sightly spongey, difficult to walk on...)

More alarmingly, his fellow partner in crime perfectly innocent adventuring is suddenly gone...?????? ]

Haru?

[frombetrayal]

[...

What?

One moment, he's there, walking right next to her. The next - he's gone. Haru gasps and turns to look around, taking a hesitant step forward and hopefully not stepping on him because that would be unfortunate.]

Akira-kun? [mmmmm.] Where did you...?

[larsenist]

[ Thank god she's a graceful ballerina, any other PT and he'd be an unfortunate, tiny stain on the bottom of their shoe.

Her voice rings somewhere high up above up, practically in the clouds, and he follows the sound of it to see—

(...................Ah. This must be how Richie had felt when he texted him for help.) ]

Down here.

[ He tries to use his outdoors/Joker voice to get her attention. ]

[frombetrayal]

[Joker's outdoor voice sounds like a whisper to her - but she hears it. Barely. It's so quiet she almost thinks she's imagining it.

But... down here?

Haru crouches down and peers down into the grass.]

Where are you?

[Maybe if he speaks again she'll be able to hear him since her ears are closer now!]

[larsenist]

[ He'd been too startled and confused to recognize her when he'd shrunk, but now that she's moving it's impossible NOT to notice the enormous trunks of her legs shifting a distance away.

And then her face! Bright and wonderful as the sun, and as large as it too from his small vantage point. ]

Here!

[ It's like he's using exclamation marks in the first time in his life. ]

To your right—other right!

[ This is hilarious and also quite sad. ]

vanekun // CANTINA

[larsenist]

[ He'd always enjoyed working at Crossroads, feeling older (cooler) than he actually was, even if Lala never once let him forget he was a minor. He sometimes finds himself missing it—the constant music livening the sultry dimness, the open conversation and pockets of laughter. But it had been a very small and intimate space, whereas the Frosty Tap... is anything but.

Nadril's famed cantina is many times larger than a dive-in off the streets of Shinjuku, a riot of colors while Crossroads had been mostly purple-red. Akira's fascinated regardless, taking a moment to simply stand, soak in, and look around the place before he even thinks to find somewhere to sit.

In the time he spends gawking in the doorway, someone else comes through, bringing a generous nip of cold air with them. A familiar face, one Akira recognizes from a 'visit' to Percival's house, though the person in question had been asleep then. (He hadn't thought to ask his name before...)

He tries to send a message to Yusuke, who'd been there at the time, though of course it goes exactly to the guy standing right next to him instead. ]

Sorry to bother. Do you know the name of Percival and Cain's housemate?

[ He continues to blink brazenly at Vane, not realizing his question had been transmitted to the wrong earpiece. ]

[defenses]

[ vane was drawn to the bustling atmosphere of the cantina. how tight the throngs of people were as they all seemed eager to get a drink or two in. in a way it's pretty far between what he was used to back at home, but certain aspects of it were similar. the general merriment, the way the people were challenging one another to a drink, or even the way others seemed to celebrate the end of the day by winding down... were all familiar in a way and he finds himself smiling to himself. granted, it's short-lived as he then hears a sudden message?!

do you know the name of...


huh!? isn't that him??? or did he mean lancelot or rohan? instantly he already starts looking all around him, trying to pinpoint the source. but well, vane was no detective conan and he wasn't exactly proficient in solving mysteries. hence, instead he responds a little too quickly. not exactly having the time to think it all the way through: ]

Eh!?! Percy and Cain...?

Do you mean Ro or Lancey? ... Dutchess? [ uh..... don't know why it would be the actual dog, but listen. ]

[larsenist]

[ There's a moment of confusion where Akira doesn't know who's answering him (that's definitely not Yusuke), until it all becomes alarmingly obvious. He snaps his gaze away from Vane, so startled he's sure his shoulders might hit the ceiling at the rate they shoot up. (Maybe his conversation partner won't notice... he seems busy looking around the place, and now Akira knows exactly why.)

...He could just speak up, but ends up sending another thought instead: ]

No...

[ The last one... it you.... (Also Duchess is so important!!!!) ]

[defenses]

[ even if he sees someone jump out of their seat, he doesn't actually ... connect it to being related to their conversation. after all, as far as he was concerned, he hasn't said anything remotely shocking? or so his theory would have been. still, he feels they must be close somehow and so he ends up sticking around the area.

actually now he roams close enough ... where he's probably just about 4-5 people away from akira. not that he knows this. honestly, this was beginning to feel familiar. though considering how many misunderstandings are bred through technology, he definitely can't pinpoint which instance. ]

No? Then... is it me?

Are you a stranger?

[ pepe hm. ]

foxkun // WRECKAGE

[larsenist]

[ There are a hundred and a half distractions to find in the new city, but despite the thrills and novel sights, minor accidents and inopportune scenarios, Akira hasn't forgotten why they'd been sent here in the first place. Their leisure could never continue indefinitely anyway; labor was akin to law in this colony, both a morale code and a basic necessity.

The Natha's words echo as surely as the wind through the snow-crusted tunnels of the shipwreck—as do Magda's. (There's a lot to think on, to consider and weigh, but regardless of the ongoing spat between the Orbiters and Refugee, the need for parts and a solution to Ysverai's curse is certain.)

Besides, the task in of itself is more an adventure than a chore, and the company alone makes it worthwhile. Sometimes Yusuke leaves his side to frame a potential composition with his fingers, or to inspect the opposite corner of the current room, but for the most part they stick close together, speaking softly as if not to disturb the snowdrifts. The entire ship is reminiscent of Thesa, an obstacle course of aged architecture and stubborn technology. (It isn't as easy to maneuver with so many layers on, but Akira's had enough practice in VR to move light-footed through the wreckage, survival pack and larger pieces of salvaged parts secured close to his body.)

They've covered a fair bit of ground when a timed alarm chimes quietly from one of Akira's devices. ]

...We should head back. Storm's rolling in.

[tricksune]

[ One man's dump, another man's treasure pile—the whole wrecked spaceship is familiar architecture but in a whole different light. He's happy to wander around and observe it, but it's important to keep an eye out, turning over trash and trying to decipher what scrap is junk and what has value. They do have a task to finish, and the storm and the great dragon's rampage sticks in the back of his mind despite the fun and icy games of Nadril.

He isn't in a great rush to return to it all, but the weather always does go back to being bad. They're practically in stasis for how inevitable the storms and winds are, constantly blowing more powder their way. Yusuke drops his present finger-frames to his side, looking over his shoulder and past Akira, right through one of the many ruined portholes of the ship. The storm's downpour is silent and full, not nearly as loud as rain and muffled by the snow on the ground already—maybe that's why he hadn't noticed sooner.

His mouth curves into a small frown. ]

It seems like it may be upon us already.

[ The snow's already packed down; then, the wind suddenly howls, and the room seems to shake for it. ]

[larsenist]

[ He follows his gaze outside, brow furrowing slightly when he realizes he can hardly see any of it. The snow mottles the landscape in an unrelenting downpour, seemingly as thick in the sky as it is coated over the land. And then there's a violent gale, the sound of the metal hide of the ship creaking under the weight of the drifts, of rushing snow. (So much of it, as it tumbles over the smooth slope of the hull, piling ominously over their exit like the fall of a great white gavel.)

They're effectively sealed in.

He takes in a breath, slowly exhaling in a thin cloud, and carefully unshoulders his pack. (On the upside, they have everything they need to wait it out...) ]

...Hope you brought your sketchbook.

[ They're gonna be here awhile—overnight, if the forecast is accurate. ]

[tricksune]

[ It only takes a glance to make it clear they're not going anywhere. Thankfully, neither of them is the type to go spelunking without having some proper gear in tow, so it should be fine. Though one can't help but worry at the sight of it all, and the thought of having to stay in the midst of a storm so vicious, the air already chill.

But his deeply concentrated stare is interrupted by Akira's question. Does Akira really need to ask? What a foolish fool!! Yusuke lets out a puff of laughter despite their circumstances. ]

You'll never find me without a pad of paper.

[ He sounds a little proud of the fact, but even so... ]

Unfortunately, the light's too dim to make much use of it.

[ Will he survive until morning without having something to doodle on? Stay tuned. ]

WE'RE IN NADRIL NOW, FRIENDS

[frombetrayal]

[So.

Haru has to admit... the little animal-shaped robots? They're actually pretty cool. Godzilla the chameleon seems to agree, because he's sitting in front of it. For now, the reptile seems like he's on good behavior...

Although, at one point, he does flick his tongue out at it. Blep.

Haru giggles.]

They seem to be getting along.

HELLMO.GIF!! EXCEPT WITH SNOW!!

[larsenist]

[ Q: Hey you know who needs more pets?
1) Definitely not the boy with the cat (and their roommates' robot dog), or the girl with the chameleon AND four (4) regular dogs.
2) Fuck the police.

The pet shop is as cool as any shipwreck, pub or fishing hole, and Akira doesn't mind spending some time playing pretend owner. He glances over when he hears the chime of Haru's voice, mechanical songbird perched in his hand like an exceptionally well-crafted prop. ]

What's not to love.

[ Godzilla, with his verdant skin and powerful tongue. Petbot, with its shiny exterior and intelligible beeps and boops. ]

...How much do you think they are?

[ He says this quietly, because there are no price tags around anywhere clearly as tempting as it is, he doesn't actually want to purchase one (and if he asks the shopkeeper he will likely be hounded until he does in fact purchase one). ]

https://emos.plurk.com/3a65a95c1e9ad9ddf70b143f12b7d75f_w48_h48.gif

[frombetrayal]

[FUCK THE POLICE.

Besides, Haru's holding out hope that their hobo friend will wake up and reclaim the dogs.]

...probably more than we have.

[Not because they're especially poor, but because they've only just arrived here. Does their Olympian money even work? Who knows, I sure don't. But Haru kind of wants to take the robot songbird home anyway.

...

It's a shame they can't stage a heist. Stealing from their hosts would probably leave a bad impression.]

Still, they are very cute...

[larsenist]

[ He nods solemnly—definitely more than what either of them have, which is really just their puffy jackets and whatever survival gear they'd been provided. (And their axe and guns and etc. but those definitely aren't to be bartered away, tempting though it might be.)

...It's a cute songbird, and it really does suit Haru. He sets it on her shoulder (borrowing Godzilla's perch now that he's on ground level), and it starts to warble a sweet, tinkling melody. (Damn these clever marketing tactics... Even so, they must not use their powers of thievery for evil...) ]

Yeah...

[ There are so many of them to choose from, too. He's drawn towards shapes he recognizes from home, and selects a palm-sized frog next, holding it up to his face for a closer inspection.

...It must have been watching its chameleon cousin, because it bleps Akira right in the glasses with its tongue. ]

Ah, it got me. [ Someone call the doctor. ]