2023-03-01: Catching Up
- Cast: Alouette Pommier, Rikka Takarada
- Where: Tsutusjidai - Junk Shop Aya
- Date: U.C. 0097 03 01
- Summary: While they both wait in anticipation for the results of Akane's intensive mobile ops training, Alouette pays Rikka a visit on her shift at Aya. It concludes with Rikka dropping a certain bomb...
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
While Akane is busy with her intensive operator training test, Alouette decided to take a short trip to Tsutsujidai. Even if she'll be back again soon for prom, it's been a while since she visited... and despite everything she's been through here, she doesn't just want to leave the city behind for good, not to mention the friends she made there.
One such friend is Rikka, who she's hoping to catch when she stops by Aya. She knows she's been well from constant updates from Akane, but it's good to check up on your friends in person, too.
As she walks through the city streets, Alouette notes that Tsutsujidai feels different... not only the lack of perpetual rain like last time, but it's the first time she really gets to think about how much less distinctly "quiet" it feels. It's become so much more than a retreat from an endlessly noisy world, that's for sure.
Finally, Alouette reaches Junk Shop Aya, opening the door with a smile on her face. "Is Rikka here?" She calls, before stepping inside, not certain whether to expect Rikka or Mama Takarada at the counter today.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
With Akane's test being today, Rikka has been waiting by her phone with nervous excitement to hear how she did. Of course she knows that's not going to make the results come any faster, but knowing that isn't going to make her any less nervous. So, she's decided to take a shift at Aya today to help get her mind off things.
...Today, however, has turned out to be a fairly uneventful day, which means that when Alouette arrives at Aya today, she'll greeted by the sight of Rikka slumped on the counter and taking occasional glances at a distressingly quiet phone.
...There's a shift in energy, however, when Alouette and appears and asks for her. Rikka looks up, and can't help but smile back at the smile on her face.
"Oh, hey, Alouette! Good to see you." Rikka greets, sitting up.
BBSYS: Post 735, 'Closing FC 1 Mar 2023' has been published to Character Announcements by Haro.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Alouette isn't too nervous about Akane's performance for one. After all, she was the one who helped to train her along with Hana, and it'd be a rather poor showing on both their parts as her seniors, if Akane flunked out, wouldn't it? Besides that, she believes in the courage Akane wanted to develop, but there's still a certain sense of anticipation. Which is why she felt there wasn't a sense in waiting around at Orbit Base.
"Bonjour, Rikka! Slow day, isn't it?" She notes, looking around to see the general lack of customers - but the laid-back atmosphere is of course part of the charm. "In that case, could I get a large apple tea, with some pastries on the side, please?" Aya pastries... it's been a while since she had those, too. She slips in a rather hefty tip, in part because of all the help Aya was while they were stuck in Tsutsujidai.
Her order out of the way, she shifts to a different topic. "Both 3G and the Rescue Team have been busy with so much.. but our paths haven't really crossed lately. I would hate it if we got too busy to hang out anymore.. But that's why I made it a point of visiting." She smiles wistfully. "Part of the operator job is constantly surveilling for threats. The trouble is, most of threats 3G deals with, it's hard to know it's coming until it happens, no matter how vigilant you are. I just.. hope that kind of pressure isn't too much for her." The Ghoulghilas attack is still pretty fresh on her mind... it's not easy to know what Alexis is planning until it happens, too.
Trying to keep those worries off the top of her head, she goes for some more simple, yet still exciting girl-talk. "So, are you looking forward to prom? I know Akane is." She grins. "She was texting me a little about it the other day. Already prepared for what you're going to do in your inevitable reign as Rulers of All Known Prom?" There's a certain light teasing tone to that question... Swan has turned her into such a menace.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"Yeah, a little... I'm sure not complaining, though." Rikka replies with a smirk. Even if she had grabbed the shift to keep herself busy... She's not about to complain about being able to serve a friend, though. "Sure, coming right up!"
Rikka turns away for a moment to get that taken care of, but she's sure to listen as she prepares Alouette's order.
"Yeah... it's kind of a shame." She agrees. "I'm glad you decided to drop by. I could definitely use the company right now."
She nods, as Alouette continues, explain the trouble that comes with the 3G operator job.
"I think... it might be difficult at first, but I believe in her. And she has all of you to support her, too." Rikka says. She turns around, then, setting Alouette's order in front of her.
"Here you go!" Rikka says.
Prom, though... a big smile crosses Rikka's face unconsciously.
"Yeah, I'm really excited. I've been counting down the days." Rikka agrees with a nod... and then stumbles mentally a bit as she is the target of teasing! "I-I wouldn't say it's inevitable..."
She hesitates for a moment.
"...I think it'd be pretty exciting, though." She says.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
Alouette laughs a little at Rikka's comment and smirk, and then waits patiently for her order, taking a nearby seat.
She listens to Rikka's own insights on Akane as an operator. "I think you're right.. and I believe in her too." She nods slowly and takes a sip from her freshly brewed tea. "I tried to make it clear that even if she doesn't get it perfect the first time, or she gets overwhelmed.. she won't be the only one on the team." She knows she's covered for Hana's butt plenty of times.. but there's also things that Hana knows better since she's been at it for longer. "But still a valuable part of the team, regardless." She smiles.
"That's true... the only data point I have to reference is my own vote." She states plainly, before that smirk creeps up again. "I'd like to think others have the right idea too, though."
"Oh, have you decided what you're wearing yet?" Alouette asks, curiously. If she's counting the days, surely something is brewing. "As for me.. honestly I haven't even decided if it'll be a dress or a suit." She admits, lightly laughing. "One thing is certain - lots of layers."
As fun of an event prom is, and as much as she's looking forward to it, there's also some nerves associated with it for Alouette. "I think something like this came at an interesting time, honestly? I used to be really weird with relationships and only ever liked one guy... but I've definitely gotten more confident in what I like now." She pauses for a moment. "...Maybe instantly taking a liking to Sheryl Nome makes some things obvious. About both of us."
She slows down, considering how to word her next point. "...Really, as much as I've been teasing you two about it, I'm glad you get something like this together. As someone who watched how hard you fought to make it happen." She decides on, heartfelt. "So of course I'll be cheering you on at every point."
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"Yeah... everyone messes up sometimes, and you've always seemed the types to help pick each other back up when things go wrong." Rikka replies with a nod. "...Sometimes, messing things up is the best way to learn, anyway."
r
...She can't help but smile a little when Alouette says she voted for her.
"...Thanks." And then, she laughs. "...Did you know, Akane's friend Marusan is even campaigning pretty, uh... aggressively for us? She's got flyers up all around the school... It's pretty humbling, especially when she could be doing that for herself and her partner instead."
She nods, though.
"Yeah, actually... We, uh... this is going to sound kind of nerdy, but we took inspiration from an anime we both like." Rikka explains... and then, 'hm's to herself, as Alouette she hasn't decided. She takes a moment to study her consideringly.
"...Hm, yeah, I can see why you'd have trouble. I think you'd look killer in either, honestly." Rikka concludes.
She smiles, though, as Alouette continues. ...She can put two and two together.
"...It kind of does." Rikka admits. "Relationships are hard to figure out. I'm glad you're getting more confident, though. ...Do you have your eye on anyone yet?"
Alouette slows down a little... and then, makes a heartfelt statement. Rikka actually finds herself taken aback for a moment, in a good way... and she smiles, face pink and just a little teary-eyed.
"...Th-thanks... It really means a lot to me how much everyone supported both of us every step away, and continues to support us. We wouldn't have been able to do this with just the two of us..." She replies gratefully, and takes a moment to wipe away her eyes.
"S-so, anyway... not to put you in imminent danger or anything right after something like that, but I met up with Sheryl to tell her how the performance went, and how I got the help of some friends to fix it up, and she wants to meet you sometime? ...So, look forward to that." Rikka says.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"Right, especially when you have a safe environment to do it in first." Alouette nods. "Starting in training with a simulator is definitely an easier start than managing a real firecracker like Guy Shishioh himself in a real battle." She laughs.
Alouette hasn't spoken to Marusan very often, but somehow she isn't surprised that she would do that for Akane. "Oh wow.. maybe it'd be a little embarrassing to see posters of yourself all over school.. but she sounds like a really good friend, doesn't she?" And with a dedicated campaigner, it seems like there's an actual chance. "Somehow, I don't doubt Leina's out there doing her part, either.. huh, they'd be housemates now, wouldn't they?" She needs to congratulate Akane on the successful move-in, and maybe pay Renais a visit there sometime too.
Alouette's eyes light up at the nerdy costume idea. "Let me guess - Truthseeker Serena." She instantly points out. "Akane was raving about it over text, too. And from what I've seen of the character design? You'd definitely be able to put together something powerful." And then Rikka points out she'd kill it in a suit or a dress. Which doesn't help her decide per se, but that's a compliment in its own right. "Aw.. thanks. I'll figure something out for sure." She briefly considers who could help her out from 3G... Swan's a dangerous proposition, Hana's style clashes a little too much with her usual looks... maybe Hinoki? Part of her is tempted to ask Ikumi.
And then she turns her attention back to Rikka, who asks if she has eyes for anyone. She considers for a moment. "See, there's a lot of pretty girls at Jindai. Although I think I'd need to get to know someone better before I know if I would date them. ...Leina did set me up for tea with someone and it was pretty nice, though."
Alouette wasn't expecting her statement to hit Rikka so hard, but it's a good thing, isn't it? "You're welcome... it's so good to see you both so happy and glowing." She smiles, as Rikka wipes her tears.
And immediately recovers by dropping a bomb on Alouette?! That smooth, supportive tone she had immediately breaks as she short-circuits for a few seconds. "S-She WHAT?" She exclaims, eyes widening. "Ah I mean, it's such an honour. ...Oh my god." There's no saving face on this one. "Either way, I will be looking forward to it." She didn't get to make the last concert in person, but she did see it online and got some merch, and donated a decent amount to Yumi to boot, knowing it's going to a good cause. But face to face with Sheryl Nome? Maybe it's good that 3G is getting a new operator because there's no way she's surviving that.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"Definitely." Rikka agrees with a smirk and a small laugh of her own. She nods, then.
"It is a little, yeah..." She admits sheepishly. "...But, yeah, she really is. I'm really glad Akane has someone like her at her back."
Leina, too. Rikka nods.
"Yeah, she moved in just a few days ago, and has had time to settle in. I think it'll be really good for her." Rikka confirms with a nod.
And, yup, Alouette figures it out right away.
"That's right. We've been watching it together, and she got pretty hooked." Rikka explains. ...Which has been nice, honestly, that she enjoys so much something that's so important to her. She had been nervous, at first. "Thanks... I'm looking forward to everyone's reactions."
She gives Alouette a confident nod, too.
"I know it'll be great." She assures.
Pretty girls at Jindai... Rikka nods in understanding.
"...Yeah. Yeah, Jindai's hard to beat..." She admits, and then nods again. "Yeah. It's better not to rush into it."
And she's grateful, that Alouette is so happy for them. Rikka smiles, pleased...
...But it doesn't stop her from dropping that bomb. Rikka smirks, pleased at the reaction.
"I'll let her know you're interested. I'll keep you posted." Rikka replies.
<Pose Tracker> Alouette Pommier has posed.
"I've been to the Mass Villa before to help Renais's own move, and I was really amazed just how huge it is." Alouette nods. "It does sound like it would be good for her. Since it's so big, it'd be easy for her to make space for herself. But at the same time..." She pauses. "It's definitely not lonely there, either."
"Yeah.. before this, she only ever talked to me about Taraba shows. Which isn't a bad thing, but there's nothing wrong with branching out a little." She says, on how hooked Akane was. "She said I might like it too, and it does look something my speed... the main character having amnesia interests me too." She twists one of her curls briefly.
"It is, and you should've seen what some of them were capable of. Between effortlessly carrying two other girls around, to kicking down a door without breaking a sweat." Geez, her first taste of Fumofuu shenanigans was a lot. "But right, I won't rush it. Even if being swept off your feet isn't so bad."
"Y-You can't just-" Alouette starts, as Rikka's response to her reaction is that pleased smirk. But she knows there's no keeping her pride there. "But seriously... thanks. For even mentioning me. You didn't have to... But it really does mean a lot." She settles down with a smile after the sheer shock of what Rikka just dropped on her subsides.