2024-02-05: Let Me Know What You Want
- Log: 2024-02-05 Let Me Know What You Want
- Cast: Sheryl Nome, Ranka Lee, Alto Saotome
- Where: Macross Frontier Fleet, Formo Mall
- OOC - IC Date: Around March, UC 0098 (during Controlled Acceleration)
- Summary: After Sheryl and Ranka graduate high school, they go out to celebrate with Alto.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
It's spring, and that means one thing among many: graduation. Sheryl Nome wasn't able to complete her flight program last year, but this year she buckled down, got her flight hours in, and managed to pass the written and practical exams. It was a little dicey there for a bit with her having been hospitalized for a couple weeks in December, but it worked out in the end.
Which means, as she announced back in January, that she'll soon be fully off her hiatus. Concerts! Commercials! And surely some practical application of her flight school diploma? ...Well, they'll see. On all those points. And if Sheryl seems a bit fatigued as she meets up with Ranka and Alto at the Formo Mall, surely it's just because she's had a lot going on.
"The sun's so bright today~" she lilts, raising a hand to shade her eyes as she admires the sun--the real sun--past the atmosphere dome overhead. She's wearing a blue layered dress with a white petticoat and blouse, red throat ribbon, blue floppy cap, gloves and boots. She's at the top of the escalators, where she's waiting for Ranka and Alto. Ranka she'll forgive for being a little late, since she's about to go on tour--another reason for the celebratory get-together--but Alto won't be able to get off that easy.
Fortunately, she's still in a good mood. The weather really is gorgeous today, and there's lots of interesting sales going on at the moment. As usual, people of all shapes and sizes mill about as they do their own shopping, either macronized or miclonized.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
There were some doubts for a while that Ranka might graduate with all the missed school from the Gallia IV trip, followed by her quarantine afterwards.
However, Mikoshi realized it was probably pretty bad press to hold a celebrity idol to the same attendance standards as everyone else.
And so as long as Ranka passed her exams, she'd be given a pass! So yes, Ranka Lee walked at graduation, which along with Sheryl Nome made it all a big event.
Alto however, is probably becoming a little annoyed with all the attention he's getting from the 'Give the Heroes of Gallia IV a Medal.' On 'advance.org'
Which is still ticking up at 39,584,682 and counting even months after the event. The reason is, because some online sleuths had VERY MUCH recognized his name, and VERY MUCH circulated his pics on social media.
You know the ones.
Anyhow! Today Ranka's at the Formo Mall to meet up with Sheryl. Right now she's in a cute white sundress with a fade into green around the hem, accessorized with a bow at the small of her back.
She's also wearing a pair of comfortable sandal flats, and a straw hat encircled by another green ribbon around the brim.
She's got on sunglasses too.
She loves her fans, but hanging out with Alto and Sheryl? No she doesn't want to be interrupted.
Sheryl will first spy her getting out of a car discreetly around the corner, and waving from a distance. Fortunately having the sense to not call out her name.
When she finally catches up, she smiles then says breathlessly, "Sorry! Rehearsal ran long!" It's just as Sheryl thought, after all, she is a veteran. "Gosh it's so nice out today!
She leans to look past her, "Alto isn't here yet?" She asks, and then when it seems to confirm this, "Well." She balls up her fists, leaning towards her, "Let's not let him off easy!"
What kind of conspiracy is this!?
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
Alto graduated the previous year so she's not had school on his mind for a while. Instead he's had other things to deal with, working as he is full time for SMS now. After the incident at Gallia IV he'd been able to take a short break. But unfortunately Vajra attacks around the Earth Sphere have been on the rise. And being the most experienced in fighting them, SMS's services have been in high demand.
On the one hand that means lots of jobs and money for Alto!
On the other, it means problems with finding time to do other things. Especially with all the added requests coming in for him specifically.
Being popular sucks.
Thankfully he was able to confirm he would be able to make it to the mall today...
... Unfortunately he does seem to be running a little late. Five minutes. Ten minutes. Alto finally shows up, coming up an escalator. At least he seems to have the mind to not show up in his SMS uniform. Though his current outfit isn't a huge deviation, consisting of dark pants, white shirt and a brown jacket.
Alto just happens to be glancing up towards the 'sky' as the escalator brings him up. Though that's hardly unusual for him. He doesn't pay the sun much heed though, especially as he reaches the top. And steps off. Glancing around for Sheryl and or Ranka, he spots the two pretty quickly. The hard to miss, especially together. Ranka's small frame stands out alongside Sheryl's hair.
Alto wanders over to the two, casually raising a hand to wave in greeting and say, "Heya." Clearly he doesn't realize how late he is. Or what's in store for him.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
Isn't it such a hassle when your name and face get leaked to the press? Sheryl's mostly avoided those kind of hassles, but you can't be as famous as she is and never get recognized when you're out in public.
Fortunately, today has been fine so far. Sheryl catches sight of Ranka when she waves and waves back, then leans on the railing to watch as she hurries over.
"You need to work on your cardio if that much leaves you out of breath," she teases once she arrives. She waves a hand at the question. "Nope! The nerve of him." Despite her words, she doesn't sound that annoyed. The fact that Alto is the kind of person who can show up late to a meet-up with a couple of glorious superstars and be totally normal about it is part of what she likes about him. Ranka's suggestion, though...
"Oh?" Sheryl smirks, blue eyes glittering with mischief. "What'd you have in mind, Ranka? <3"
And so it soon comes to pass that Alto heads up the escalators, ten minutes late, and is just as casual about it as Sheryl expected him to be. After her cospiratorial conversation with Ranka, she whirls on him and jabs a finger at him.
"You're late!!" she barks. "You realize the punishment for making two girls as beautiful and charming as us is very steep, don't you?!" She marches on over and--if Alto doesn't evade her grasp soon enough--reaches up to grab him and pull him down into a headlock. Whether she pulls it off or not, she turns to Ranka. "Well, Ranka~? What sort of punishment do you think is fitting for a layabout like him?"
She can't quite keep a smile off her lips, or a sparkle out of her eye.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
Ranka smiles at her suggestion of needing more cardio, "I will, still getting back some of my stamina from quarantine being so sedentary."
Though the truth is it's mostly that she had no wind down time between rehearsal and coming over here.
Nodding emphatically at Sheryl's comment on the nerve of him, "Mmhm!" However, Sheryl asks her mischievously, what she has in mind...
"Well...!"
She rubs a hand over the back of her head, but Sheryl will see the moment her hair 'leaps' beneath her hat on either side, suddenly enough to jostle the hat and force her to put her hands to either side of the brim.
Sheryl jabs a finger, Ranka lowers her arms and crosses them, as she agrees again, "Mmmhmm!" Before Sheryl tries to put him in a headlock!
And then!?
Ranka paces forward arms still crossed, her sandal flats clacking against the mall floor, as she moves up to look Alto in the eye, her gaze hard out of that crimson eye. "Mmmmm..."
Judge Ranka looks like she's determining her sentence, when suddenly.
"I think..."
Pause. Stare.
"... we should reward him."
Ranka's own smile turns low key mischievous. "Heroes should get a pass after all. Sheryl - I think that the current petition online would take off even more if you came out in support of it!"
Oh no.
THE DEATH SENTENCE.
How serious Ranka is being, is astoundingly unclear in this moment.
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
Alto takes an instinctual step back as a finger is jabbed in his direction and he is barked at for being late, "Huh!?" He quickly glances down at the phone on his wrist displaying the time... Okay, he's a few minutes late. Big deal-
Alto starts to sweat a little at the mention of punishment. He's not sure he's going to like the idea of a punishment that comes out of Sheryl's head. He's distracted thinking about the terrible possibilities such that she's able to get him into a headlock, "Wah!?"
Obviously fighting back is not a choice so Alto has to endure, soon finding himself face to face with Ranka. His expression is almost pitiful as he looks at her... He then lights up as she instead suggests a reward!
And then his face quickly falls again as she elaborates, "No! Anything but that! I had to turn off my ringer because of all the talent managers trying to scout me. One of them called in the middle of a briefing! The Major had me scrubbing Valkyries for a week!"
Alto glances to the side for a moment, "Come to think of it how did they even get my number?" The image of Michael with a smug grin flashes through Alto's head. He mutters for a moment, "That bastard..."
Back to the matter at hand though, Alto pleads, "Surely there's something else? Anything!?"
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
Fighting back would be a very dangerous prospect indeed, considering that Sheryl getting Alto in a headlock means his face is very close to a certain place. Sheryl at least isn't holding him too hard, but think of where his hands might end up if he's careless...!
"Oh my! Ranka, you're too soft on him," Sheryl 'complains,' further undermined by a wink as her other arm is set akimbo. She grins at her suggestion of his 'reward.' "Ohh, you really think so? Well, if you insist, Ranka..."
...only for Alto to beg for mercy. Sheryl laughs gaily, even at the mention of Valkyrie scrubbing duty. It does sound like it's been a huge hassle for him, so she's not actually going to do that to him--but letting him writhe on the hook with a maybe-maybe-not? That she'll do.
"Something else, huh? And here Ranka's being so forgiving and offering you a reward!" she mock-scolds him. Her grin grows leonine. "Maybe you want to be punished after all? <3"
She'll let that hang for a moment, before she lets go of him at last and smacks him lightly on the back. "Just kidding~! Ahahaha, you should see your face!" She leans in with a smirk. "Maybe that'll teach you not to keep us waiting! The nerve~!"
Her would-be indignation is thoroughly undercut by the fact that she's clearly having great fun.
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
Ranka grins at Sheryl, "I think it's worth our consideration.
Ranka's expression almost breaks instantly as Alto begs them not to. As suddenly she looks flustered, and her arms uncross to just, slowly push her palms out as if to tell him 'it's okay calm down'
"I-I didn't realize it was that bad!"
Her face finally does crack, as she plaintively tells him that, Sheryl however is a PRO at teasing someone, and she LEANS into it.
Even as Ranka admits, "I sure didn't give it to them... I promise!" It was almost certainly Michael. Who else would it be? Ai-kun? Surely not! Grace? For what reason would gentle Grace have to do that to him?%
"Um- well!"
Ranka puts both her hands over her mouth as Sheryl offers that he might want to be punished after all. And turns a little red.
And then Sheryl lets go, and Sheryl starts laughing, and after a moment Ranka starts laughing too.
"I suppose we can let him off... with a warning." She offers to Sheryl in agreement, "We weren't waiting too long after all!"
Still Ranka is thinking of... no no no. She's not gonna think about THAT! It's too much.
As her smile brightens at Alto, she asks, "So, instead. Where are you taking us first, Alto?" And now, she puts it on HIM to make the decision, after that!
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
"T-That's not what I meant!" He stares at the red appearing on Ranka's face. If course he doesn't have many places he can look in this position. Certainly not without getting in even more trouble.
But finally Sheryl relents and Alto straightens again. He lets out a sigh in relief, both for getting out of that somewhat uncomfortable position and because it seems like he is avoiding any sort of further punishment. Whatever it might have been.
Though as Sheryl smacks him on the back and laughs, Alto is definitely giving her a deadpan stare.
Of course he's not really upset or anything. He takes a moment to stretch his neck a little after being in the headlock, as Ranka asks where he plans to take them. He chuckles for a moment in response, casually asking, "Where am I taking you? What is this, a date?"
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
"It's always that bad. Remember how much fuss was kicked up over him being a stunt double in Bird Human?" Sheryl reminds Ranka dryly. She immediately regrets bringing that up, though, since she remembers right after she says that that the stunt Alto doubled for involved kissing Ranka. She tosses her hair to hide her flustering and adds, "H-honestly, you'd think he'd be used to it!"
She didn't have a hand in handing out Alto's personal information either. If Michael really was behind it, though, that wouldn't surprise her. Ranka's blushing puts Sheryl back on top, and she smirks before she giggles. "A warning it is, then!"
That all said, Sheryl is a pro at teasing, but even she has her weaknesses. For instance, when Alto asks ever-so-casually if this is a date, color actually flares in her cheeks as something gets momentarily stuck in her throat. Then she tosses her hair and sashays around to grab one of his arms. "You're so greedy! Which one of us are you saying you're on a date with? Or are you trying to say you're dating us both at the same time?"
Her tone is light, but the color hasn't entirely gone from her face... and her heart is pounding. Dating both of them at the same time...
"Either way, you've just been taught how dangerous it is to keep us waiting, so you'd better pick a place fast!" she declares. She tugs on his arm to encourage him to start walking, without quite looking Ranka in the eye. "Let's go~!"
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
Ranka's hair leaps again as Sheryl reminds her of that forcing her to clamp her hands back down her hat, "I didn't realize it was that much fuss! I thought it was just - a few people!" Ranka flusters because of course now she's reminded by the kiss too.
Which you know, millions of people saw, even if it was with Throm's face plastered over Alto's.
Wow, did she really cause THAT much trouble for Alto between that and this? Now she feels a bit guilty, but she didn't have malicious intentions!
But then, Alto asks that, and Ranka's hair leaps again, as she has to turn to the side, cheeks aflame, "I-! I can't just SAY that!" Ranka protests, which makes one wonder, did she think it WAS a date!?
And Sheryl hardly makes it any better by asking for clarification, "HE can't just say that either!" Ranka protests on that one too, but for WHICH PART?
Ranka can't quite look Sheryl in the eye either, falling in at Alto's other side as she quickens her pace, "Y-yes! Lead the way Alto!"
If she were bolder... then... but no, her heart is beating too fast right now as well. Any faster and...
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
When Sheryl mentions his stunt double work, Alto is clearly not thinking the same thing as Ranka because his response to that is, "That actor was such an asshole." Clearly in good company considering the female lead.
Alto doesn't actually respond though when Sheryl comments that he should be used to it at this point. Mainly because he just doesn't want to talk about it. Instead Alto glances at Ranka, suspecting she might be feeling a little guilty, based on what she said. He just waves his hand, "It's not your fault, or anything. It's not like it was a big secret. It would have spread eventually." All it would take was doing an internet search on his name after all.
Though Alto was hoping he'd have been a bit more of an ace pilot before that happened.
Alto's casual question seems to rub Sheryl the wrong way though and he blinks in surprise, trying to reply, "That's not..." That's not what he meant. Again. Wow, he's really pulling out all the stops today!
Thankfully Ranka comes to his rescue, saying he shouldn't answer. Though what is the answer? He doesn't know!
As such Alto resigns himself to leading the two, letting out a mild sigh of resignation as his arm is tugged on, on one side, and he is encouraged to lead from the other "Alright, alright..."
Cue shopping montage! First a clothing store, of course. Got to keep up with the latest trends. And it's not complete without Alto exclaiming, 'No! No way I'm wearing that!' at least two or three times.
Next up is the music store. One must stay on top of the competition! Though that might be hard with such competition standing just a few feet away. Also, hopefully those 'disguises' hold up!
After that it's into a toy store. It might seem a little childish at first, but thankfully there turn out to be some sections catered more towards adult hobbies. Including some model planes that Alto glances over.
And finally it ends with a yummy snack of crepes from food cart. Paid for by Alto of course, even though he is the poorest one of them here.
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
Classic Alto. Though, his criticism of Throm gets him a smirk from Sheryl, even if he is once again displaying not thinking of the same things she and Ranka do. "He really was! And he wasn't even the worst one. Maybe I should've played Shin?" she jokes. She waves it off the next moment. "Just kidding!" She strikes a pose, one arm rising up to run her gloved hand through her hair, and jokes again, "I don't have the figure for that role~."
Ranka getting embarrassed about the dates--and guilty about the press Alto got--makes the rest of it even more awkward, though, especially as Alto seems put off too--and not in a fun way. At least he can reassure Ranka, but the protests from her make it tough. "Well--! Let's just move on, then!"
Move on and leave the awkward parts behind.
The rest of the day is fortunately a big improvement from that moment. Sheryl and Ranka have their own tailor--Sheryl referred Ranka to hers, even--but it's good to know what's considered fashionable to the rest of the world. Sheryl tries on a lot of trendy outfits, and even buys a few she likes for her personal wardrobe (as opposed to her professional wardrobe). Alto's protesting at offered outfits get quite a few mischievous giggles.
The music store's the same way. Sheryl picks up a few albums, EPs and singles from various artists also high up on the charts, including Lacus Clyne and of course Ranka. Alto's exactly right about keeping up with the competition--no matter how close by she is. The 'disguises' might be dicey for a bit there, though...
The toy store is cute, even if there's nothing in particular there that catches Sheryl's eye for herself. She does pick up a multi-colored teddy bear to show to Ranka, though. A rainbow bear-bear...!
At last they enjoy crepes together. Sheryl's is strawberry cream, and she sits with legs folded at an umbrella table with Alto and Ranka as she enjoys it. "This brings back memories, doesn't it, Ranka?" she comments. "We went and got crepes together ages ago. I got the inspiration for One in a Billion that day, you know!" She slides a look Alto's way, then adds, "Amazing to think it's already been a year since it released... not to mention Spring Dream. Now we're in the middle of a new 'Spring Dream,' hmm?"
<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.
They can all agree that guy was a jerk. Alto uses stronger language, but Ranka isn't the type to echo that, even if she appreciates the sentiment.
"Honestly! He acted like some kind of big shot but I'd never even heard of him!" Ranka suspects he's huge in Britannia. Britannia is full of guys like him. "And even if he was, there's no reason to act like that!"
She can understand someone acting meticulous about the details of their art but he seemed to have zero dedication. Sheryl however suggests...
... Ranka feels lightheaded, all of a sudden, "Y-You? I-I ... I." Ranka flusters for a moment and then balling up her fists, she enthuses as if there was an instant vibe change-
"It doesn't matter!" About the figure, "You could have definitely pulled him off! One hundred percent!"
One hundred percent!? Well she has seen Sheryl cross dress.
Alto insists it's not her fault, and Ranka bobs her head, still looking momentarily guilty about it all the same, but-
"I was only trying to praise everyone who rescued me. ... I wish it wasn't causing you so much trouble though."
Fortunately-! Things get easier once they start to move. Ranka tries on some cute summer fashions at the Boutique, though she's still too restrained.
It hasn't settled in that she's rich now yet, has it?
She does offer Alto a few outfits to try. In her defense, they felt very manly to her!
The music store has Ranka try to pick up a few new singles from some up and coming artists, as well as checking out a self-published section.
She grabs a few amateurs, as if trying to use them to check out current trends, but also checks out another from Lacus Clyne, like Sheryl.
At one point she offers to listen to an Indie artist with Sheryl with an earbud, as if to get her opinion on them.
Someone IS looking straight Ranka and Sheryl at several points that Alto might notice, but decides 'nah couldn't be' apparently as they walk off.
The toy store is adorable, and Ranka giggles at the Rainbow Bear that Sheryl shows to her, and tries to encourage Alto towards some model kits.
In the end however, she picks up this Centaur Archer plush, and points its bow towards Alto as if it were an inside joke between them.
'Sagittarius 9 PM, don't be late'
Finally the crepes, and Ranka grins at her, making a heart with her fingertips. Since, they were a specialty one that did actual heart crepes.
"There's no way I could forget that! I started getting the idea for Rainbow Bear Bear too there."
Ranka blinks, in consideration like she's startled, canting her head up, "Wow, it really has been a year. It feels like yesterday that I debuted..." Ranka tries not to look towards Alto, as she takes her crepe and mid-bite notes, "... It's a nice feeling." She says, of them being in the middle of a Spring Dream, as she smiles and notes to Sheryl, "And well you know... Bunnies are a Universal symbol of Springtime."
<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.
Alto can't deny that Sheryl's frame is quite a departure from what the character called for. Still, Alto agrees with Ranka, nodding along, "I doubt anyone would have complained. Probably would have improved the movie's reception even more."
Alto's not thinking about the implications of Sheryl playing the character in a certain scene. Perhaps he's blocked the memory out? Not likely. More likely he's just assuming he probably still would have ended up doing the stunt. Not that there's much point on thinking on the hypothetical for too long.
While Alto goes along with the two for shopping, he doesn't participate quite as much as they do. Which probably shocks no one. In fact he's content to watch, for the most part. Though with enough pressing he tries on a couple of the more reasonable outfits that Ranka suggests.
As the three consider the past year, Alto mmms in agreement, nodding as he takes a bite from his crepe. He muses, "It feels like time has been going by so much faster lately... I guess we've all been busy for a while now."
Alto glances at Sheryl and then Ranka, saying a bit more solemnly, "Makes me wonder how long it's going to last..." He could be referring to a few things here. But it's probably about the two of them graduating. To wit Alto smiles, "Congratulations on graduating, you two."
<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.
Sheryl blinks a couple times in surprise when, despite her joke, Ranka and Alto both take her seriously about her playing Shin. A moment later, she smiles with a breath of a laugh. "It really would have!"
It's true. Ranka has seen her cross-dress. Sheryl actually makes quite a handsome young man. It would've been a little weird to kiss the girl playing her grandmother, though...
Sheryl does listen on the other earbud with Ranka to that indie artist; no doubt they have a lively conversation about the song. She pays no mind to the person who squints at them. They leave on their own, after all. She giggles, too, at Ranka pointing that centaur archer plush at Alto. And soon, they're eating crepes together... (Sheryl will find a way to pay him back at her own income level. Paying for crepes when you're the poorest one here isn't such a bad deal, Alto.)
"True! Honestly, it's nice to be busy with normal things after everything that happened last year," she comments to Alto. Her smile turns a little wry at his pessimism. "I'm sure the other shoe will drop eventually, but I'm fine with focusing on the present." Focusing on the present means focusing on the moments where she's healthy and feeling fine, thank you. She grins at Ranka and her mention of Universal Bunnies. "They sure are~!"
Alto's congratulations get him a warm smile. Sheryl lifts her crepe as if in toast. "Congratulations to us, Ranka! And good luck on your tour, too." She winks. "Not that a hard worker like you needs it!"
And with those congratulations made, they'll be able to just sit, eat, and chat until they're ready to go.