2022-12-21: A Place for the Discarded
- Cast: Gai Kurenai, Rikka Takarada
- Where: Tsutsujidai - Junk Shop 'Aya'
- Date: U.C. 0096 12 21
- Summary: The ancient wanderer Gai comes to the place in Tsutsujidai where the cast-off and forgotten makes its home, and recognises its warmth as something familiar.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Even with everything going on, the Junk Shop Aya is still in business. These days, people mostly swing by for a warm beverage, a hot meal, and a friendly face, but there's a good market for junk and non-electronic entertainment.
Usually, Orie Takarada runs the shop while keeping an eye on her daughter to make sure she doesn't overwork herself with all of the tasks she's taken onto her shoulders... But, mysteriously, at the moment Orie has asked Rikka to cover for her as she goes off to do... something else.
And so, for the first time in a while, Rikka can be found behind the counter wearing the apron worn by Junk Shop Aya employees, carefully managing pots of tea and coffee just in case anyone happens to swing by.
<Pose Tracker> Gai Kurenai has posed.
A man who appears to be in his mid-twenties steps through the door into Aya, duster coat and matching hat making him stand out as different from the usual Tsutsujidai crowd. Brown eyes scan the shop, and a fond smile alights on his face as he casually strolls over to the counter.
"Good afternoon," he says warmly. "I'm here about the Rescue Team flier?"
He glances over to the ancient computer sitting against the wall, and his gaze lingers. Something about it...
He looks back to Rikka, smiling again. "Who do I talk to about it?"
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
The bell above the door jingles and Rikka looks up, seeing a man in a hat and duster. It's a style she doesn't really see often... Or. At all. He must be someone else stranded here from outside.
"Well, you've come to the right place!" Rikka says. She's not sure how long this will take, so she adjusts the temperatures on the pots so she won't have to watch them as closely. She settles in, looking up at him.
She briefly catches that glance toward Junk, but... maybe he just finds it odd to see such an old piece of equipment here.
"That'd be me - I'm Rikka Takarada." She explains, gesturing to herself. She must be the one who put them out. "Were you interested in joining, or did you have questions?"
She pauses, considering for a moment.
"...Would you... like some tea, or coffee?" She offers. She has the pots going, might as well offer.
<Pose Tracker> Gai Kurenai has posed.
"Tea, please," the young man replies... Is he young? There's something about his eyes, and the way he carries himself...
"I'd like to join," he explains. "Call me Gai, miss Takarada."
He looks around again, smiling. "This place reminds me of a shop I used to spend a lot of time in. It's very inviting." He's definitely immediately settling in, spiritually speaking. "So you're in charge of the rescue team here?"
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Rikka nods, and starts getting some tea ready. It's not as good as anything Namiko would prepare, but it's good enough to serve to a visitor, at least. Before long, she slides a cup in front of Gai.
His eyes... Rikka studies him for a moment. There's definitely something about him. Something he can't quite place. She gets the feeling he must've been through a lot...
"Gai." Rikka repeats with a nod. "Nice to meet you."
She's interested, though, when he mentions that it reminds him of a shop he used to spent a lot of time in.
"Oh yeah? Mama'd be glad to hear that, she wants it to a place people can feel welcome." Rikka replies, and then nods again. "That's right."
She pauses.
"...Well, 'in charge'. I'm the founder and I help keep everyone together and point them in directions every now and then if they're not sure where to go or how they can best help. But I don't, like... consider myself 'the boss' of everyone or anything." She explains.
<Pose Tracker> Gai Kurenai has posed.
"Ah, I see. You herd the cats." He grins at Rikka, sipping from his tea. "This is pretty good."
His fond smile broadens when Rikka asks about the old days. "They called themselves the 'Something Search People', it was three kids in a three-room apartment trying to spread information about occult mysteries on the internet and get footage of them. Boss would run herself ragged doing all sorts of part-time jobs just trying to pay rent on the apartment.
Even so, they took me in when I was in bad shape and they're some of the best friends I've ever had. That's the kind of vibe I get from this place."
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"Yeah, that's a good way to put it." Rikka admits with a chuckle, and then nods. "Thanks."
She listens with interest, then, as Gai talks about his old friends. Three kids in a three-room apartment. Rikka smiles fondly - with a hint of nostalgia, too.
"...Yeah, that sounds like us. Before... all of this," She says with a vague gesture, presumably referring to the Rescue Team and the current situation in Tsutsujidai. "It was just me and a couple of friends trying to keep things safe around here - and the friends we made along the way, of course."
She considers his words, then.
"...They sound like a really good bunch, though. Where are they now?" She asks.
<Pose Tracker> Gai Kurenai has posed.
"They made it," Gai explains. "Got a lucky break and the whole world flocked to their website... but I had to move on. I'm the sort of person who can't stay in one place too long. Still - they're always with me, y'know? Naomi's bravery, Jetta's ambition, and Shun's genius are things I'll never forget. Hopefully I can bring some of their brightness to the Rescue Team. Before I met them I used to work on a similar sort of operation, too, so I have experience in the matter."
It was a lot before, but that's a complication that isn't really relevant.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
They made it... Rikka can't help but smile, at that. She might not have known the three of them herself, but the similarity to her own story makes her glad they were able to make it big.
"...Yeah, I get that. Some people just need to see the world." Rikka says. "That's kind of romantic - carrying the inspiration of your friends with you wherever you go..."
She dwells on that for a moment longer before nodding.
"I think you'll be a big help, though. We need all the hands we can get, and if you have experience already that's even better." Rikka replies.
<Pose Tracker> Gai Kurenai has posed.
"This city needs the help," Gai says with a nod. "I am glad to lend my strength to giving it."
The wanderer closes his eyes and savours the scent of his tea. "There are many people crying out in need here, after all."
"And if you're worried about anything, I can stay here for a while and offer protection, too."
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
The city needs the help - there are many people crying out in need... Rikka rolls that over in her head for a moment.
"...It's good to hear more people thinking that way. Honestly... it's been great to see everyone coming together like this." Rikka replies, and smiles. At his offer, though, she shakes her head. "You're welcome to stick around and drop by whenever you want, but you don't have to worry about me. I have someone looking out for me."
She shrugs.
"Of course, if you want to, I'm not going to say no, either." She says.
<Pose Tracker> Gai Kurenai has posed.
Gai nods. "Alright, but I'll be... around. One of the kids in the suits should be able to find me if you need me for somethin', I've met Max already. I look forward to working with you!"
With that, he downs the rest of the tea. "Good stuff," he murmurs, setting it back on the counter and fishing in his coat for some loose change.
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Rikka pauses as he brings up Max... and then smirks, just slightly.
"You heard about them already, huh? Well, if Max trusts you, then I do too." She replies, consideringly. She could pursue that line of thought further... but in the end, it doesn't matter. "Yeah, looking forward to working with you."
She'll gratefully accept the change, when offered. There might not be as much use for it now, but there's something to be said for keeping up the usual rituals.