2022-03-26: Sakura Season Starts

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Throughout the many parks up and down both Japan and Area 11, the cherry blossoms are unfurling their delicate pink and white petals from the tree branches, marking the start of sakura (Japanese cherry blossom) season. Cherry blossoms are beloved throughout the islands in part for their ephemeral beauty: they only bloom for a week or two before the petals fall and leave the branches bare. This year, they'll begin to open on March 26, reach full bloom on April 2, and finish falling on April 8. While it's lovely to see the blossoms in the trees where they open, once the petals start to fall, one might experience what's called a cherry blossom            blizzard--a falling of petals so intense that it feels like one's caught up in a storm of them. It's an exquisite experience that might fill one's heart with appreciation for the fleeting nature of existence.                

Through these various parks, people who are interested in hanami, or cherry blossom viewing (whether as they bloom or as they fall), there are plenty of spots to lay out blankets under the boughs and have picnics. Street vendors- taking advantage of folks wanting something to snack on but not wanting to bring their own bento lunches- can be found selling hanami dango (skewered sweet rice dumplings, colored pink, white, and green), sandwiches, rice balls, sakura mochi, cookies, vegetarian sushi rolls, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ready-made bento boxes full of a variety of sweet and savory treats, drinks like tea and Ramune soda, and more. Naturally, almost all of it has cherry blossoms in it as an ingredient or on it as a design. It's BYOB if you want to enjoy beer or sake, though. Hanami is for everyone, including minors, which means no selling alcohol!    

While there's plenty of spots for groups to get together, chat, sing, dance, eat, and generally have good rowdy fun under the cherry blossoms, there are also quieter, more secluded spots perfect for couples or close friends to have more intimate, personal conversations as they enjoy the flowers. While cherry blossoms are most commonly enjoyed during daylight hours, the parks are also open well into the night so people can enjoy yozakura, or the cherry blossoms at night. For the night hours, there are paper lanterns strung up along the branches, lit with a soft glow so viewers can find their way. These are good for more adult parties with plenty of booze flowing, too.                                                

As sakura season draws closer to its end- and to Sheryl Nome's first live concert in her Earth Sphere global tour- the excitement for music will ramp up accordingly. Portable karaoke boxes, miniature stereos attached to music players, and instruments like guitars, tambourines, and in some cases even pianos will appear for people to play and get hype for the upcoming grand finale.                                                       



<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.


        Yesterday was a hell of a day. At the same time, it's rapidly becoming a regular *kind* of day for Sheryl Nome. She doesn't know how she feels about that, and considering her concert was *interrupted* (if not actually ruined per se) and a bunch of militant creeps wanted to *kill her* (even if they were fought off magnificently by battroid *and* by song), she thinks she's owed a break. An opportunity to see Japan's galaxy-famous cherry blossoms for herself, even. And if she needs to drag along a couple of friends and even her manager to make it happen, then why not?
        
        All that said, when the group strolls into a local sakura park, Sheryl dressed incognito with a sun hat over her wavy golden hair, sunglasses to hide her blue eyes, a babydoll-style pink dress over dark stockings and light pumps, a matching purse, and naturally her iconic earring, her eyes light up behind her shades in pure-hearted delight.
        
        "Look at them all! They're practically *draped* with flowers! And they're not even in full bloom yet?" she breathes as she pulls down her shades. With a musical laugh, she breaks into a run down the path, running from tree to tree to get a better look at the pale blossoms, some white, some pink, as they stretch out into the blue sky above. Many of them are still only buds, or only partly in bloom, but they're a beautiful sight all the same.
        
        She twirls around to face the others, her expression open with wonder and joy. "We *have* to come back! I want to see them when there are petals absolutely *carpeting* the place! Between Ranka-chan and me, I'm sure we'll get at least one amazing song out of it. Maybe more!" As her eyes slide towards Alto, so too does a sly smirk slide onto her lips. "Though maybe a sight as lovely as this is all been-there-done-that to *you*?" she teases, twirling her sunglasses around her long fingers.
        
        While she might be focused on her companions, Sheryl's not bothering to keep her voice down. For those who were there at her concert yesterday, or are sufficiently plugged in, they might just recognize her as they pass nearby.
Grace_O'Connor teleports in. 

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


Ranka hasn't told anyone what almost happened to her yesterday. Bad enough that Ozma tried to recall her to the Frontier Colony early based on the attack on the luxury liner. If he found out she specifically had almost gotten smooshed by a Macronized Zentradi? ... He'd be flying down planetside right now to pick her up.

The break thus is welcome, after those arguments. Ranka is currently dressed in a cream colored dress with a hem of blue that seems to crown her waist. A scarf of yellow swaths her neck in the Spring Air, and a red ribbon bobs on the back of her hair. She's got on a nice pair of floppy brown boots that look comfortable. Her first impression? Thrilled! "Incredible... wondrous... deculture!" Ranka exclaims as she does a turn, watching the petals flutter around her before she moves in front of Alto and Ranka, "I've never seen anything like it before! When the headmaster of Daruma Seminars said it was a life-changing experience... he wasn't exaggerating!"

There was a chance he might have been given his love of Japanese culture, but...

Ranka lowers her voice just a bit out of courtesy to Sheryl's incognito nature. "Maybe even three knowing you Sheryl-san! Your new single last night - it took my breath away!"

Literally, she was running a lot while it was playing. She doesn't think on the negative though, it's like her mind just naturally compartmentalizes the good and the bad. As Sheryl teases Alto, Ranka laces her hands behind her back, and bends over while examining his face from an angle, "Oh? Is that true Alto-kun?"

Less teasing, more sincere perhaps in the question, though she smiles and flicks her look Sheryl's way, "Maybe we'll get a straightforward answer out of him. I bet he's still in a good mood after coming to Earth."

Okay that latter one was actually a bit teasing, but only very lightly.


<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


Ranka hasn't told anyone what almost happened to her yesterday. Bad enough that Ozma tried to recall her to the Frontier Colony early based on the attack on the luxury liner. If he found out she specifically had almost gotten smooshed by a Macronized Zentradi? ... He'd be flying down planetside right now to pick her up.

The break thus is welcome, after those arguments. Ranka is currently dressed in a cream colored dress with a hem of blue that seems to crown her waist. A scarf of yellow swaths her neck in the Spring Air, and a red ribbon bobs on the back of her hair. She's got on a nice pair of floppy brown boots that look comfortable. Her first impression? Thrilled! "Incredible... wondrous... deculture!" Ranka exclaims as she does a turn, watching the petals flutter around her before she moves in front of Alto and Ranka, "I've never seen anything like it before! When the headmaster of Daruma Seminars said it was a life-changing experience... he wasn't exaggerating!"

There was a chance he might have been given his love of Japanese culture, but...

Ranka lowers her voice just a bit out of courtesy to Sheryl's incognito nature, balling up her fists in front of her face as she looks at her in admiration, "Maybe even three knowing you Sheryl-san! Your new single last night - it was so inspirational it took my breath away!"

Literally, she was running a lot while it was playing. She doesn't think on the negative though, it's like her mind just naturally compartmentalizes the good and the bad. As Sheryl teases Alto, Ranka laces her hands behind her back, and bends over while examining his face from an angle, "Oh? Is that true Alto-kun?"

Less teasing, more sincere perhaps in the question, though she smiles and flicks her look Sheryl's way, "Maybe we'll get a straightforward answer out of him. I bet he's still in a good mood after coming to Earth."

Okay that latter one was actually a bit teasing, but only very lightly.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto has to wonder about his luck, sometimes. On the one hand, he's finally on Earth. And having already had a chance to fly through it's skies, he's in a good mood. On the other, it did take a terrorist attack and heated battle through re-entry to get him to this point. Still, as he wanders into the park with the others, wearing a simple jacket with shirt and pants, he silently decides that it's probably a net gain at this point.

        The sight of the trees with their large collection of blossoms is certainly quite impressive, though Alto is not quite so energetic at displaying such awe as some. When Sheryl calls him out on his more subdued reaction, he crosses his arms and replies matter-of-factly, "It's true. While I was born on Frontier, my parents are from Japan. So our home on the fleet was decorated much like this."

        But then Ranka interjects with her own follow up question and comments. And she clearly has Alto pegged, as he adds a bit more honestly, "Well... Maybe not to this degree."

        Alto tries to turn the tables though, quickly countering to Sheryl, "What about you? Surely you've seen far more than either of us with your galactic touring. No doubt people were begging to show you the sights wherever you went! Maybe even on an alien world or two?"

<Pose Tracker> Milly Ashford has posed.

This is a trip we'll tentatively call 'half business,' for Milly. On the one hand, it's not like she doesn't want to see this for herself; on the other, she's planning to drag a large chunk of her Ashford pals to see this type of thing on the school's dime, which means she needs to know what spots are actually good.

What's more, they came down not super far from here *anyway*; in the long term she's going to need to go back up to the Orbital Ring to get her things from her hotel room, but in the meanwhile... well, she can collapse some tasks together.

It's not much of a surprise, then, that Milly ends up here at the same time as Sheryl -- and hears her. She takes a few steps forward, an easy smile on her face. "It's pretty, right?" she asks, piggybacking on what she's hearing a bit. "I'm definitely looking forward to hearing the kind of music you can put out after seeing something like this." She's a little curious about something, though, at that...

"... Do the Macross fleets even have seasons this way?" she asks, being mostly unfamiliar with space travel. Sure, she's been to Von Braun the normal amount of times for someone of her station, but...

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        Yesterday was a hell of a day. While things didn't go quite as planned, there was plenty for Grace O'Connor to be happy about. The recordings of the Galactic Fairy, Sheryl Nome, singing in front of a battle between Glaugs and Battroids, Humans and Zentradi... well it's something that is selling very well across a multitude of media platforms. The song is being shared far and wide both officially and unofficially - and it's something that has begun to stir the hearts of many throughout the galaxy.

        Yes, a song to shake their hearts...

        And while a talent manager might be eager to strike while the iron is hot, and schedule a raft of interviews and media engagements right after their daring life-and-death struggle, even the professional and eternally motivated Grace O'Connor recognizes the importance of rest and relaxation in an artist's schedule. As such she has dutifully responded to requests for interviews and night show appearances with a deeply apologetic (if scripted) message of refusal.

What was a bit more surprising though was when she accepted an offer to go view the cherry blossom flowers with the others. While Grace is still busy processing and editing the various recordings from the concert for production she possesses enough bandwidth to also be physical present. After all - even she has never been on Earth before, nor has had an opportunity to witness earth's cherry blossom trees in full bloom.

One might question her choice of attire though - the same, dark forest green business attire she always wears. If challenged on it Grace will merely apologetically mention how none of Sheryl's fans really pay attention to her anyway. Indeed this seems to be borne out by how... no pictures of Grace seem to, well, grace any of Sheryl's websites. Or just as implausibly: How there are no fan sites dedicated to candid photos of the mysterious and enigmatic secretary. It just seems like no one notices her... or someone wants no one to notice her.

And for now it seems like she is attempting the same - remaining near the back of the group and watching with a patient smile as they react and interact with each other. Watching her protege joyously twirl in the flowers, suggesting they need to come back when they're in full bloom. Listening to Ranka breathlessly exclaim the quality of Sheryl's new single. Watching Alto try to maintain his composure around Sheryl's needling and Ranka's excitement. And even Milly's curiosity regarding the nature of seasons aboard the Macross Frontier...

... well Macross fleets anyway. Though there was one fleet at least where there were no seasons. 

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.


        Sheryl's smirk turns nearly cat-like as Ranka showers her with praise, and she puffs out her chest as she plants her fists on her hips. "We'll see~," she lilts. "But I have high expectations!" For the cherry blossoms? For herself? Who are we kidding, of course she means herself.
        
        Meanwhile, if it's strange that Ranka seems bright and cheery after yesterday's experience, then Sheryl's strange the same way--indeed, she quite respects Ranka's seeming emotional hardiness. She always seems so terrified during a crisis. To Sheryl, it's a sign of strength to be able to put ugly experiences so fully behind oneself.
        
        But as Ranka gets in on the teasing, Sheryl giggles, easing a step towards her companions as she leans playfully forward. "I knew it. You're just a little *too* unaffected by the view," she purrs. A view that now fully displays both her cleavage and the double entendre she'd been leaning into.
        
        But someone speaks up, then, and Sheryl straightens to look over at Milly. She blinks once, initially caught off guard by how she seems to realize who she is--but when it becomes clear Milly isn't going to make a big deal of it, she smiles. It's a bit more politely demure than she is usually. "I wouldn't know," she admits, as much to Alto as to Milly. "I've toured a lot of the fleets, but usually I was too busy with my lives to really get a chance to sightsee. Frontier's the first one where I've really gotten a chance to look *around*. And as for Galaxy..."
        
        Her smile turns bittersweet, as a certain steeliness enters her eyes. "Well, Galaxy doesn't," as opposed to *didn't*, "have this kind of nature. It's basically just one huge metropolis. Maybe when I get home, I should set up a personal garden?"
        
        She turns to Grace to seek her input. Seeing her off to the side as usual, though, she plants her fists on her hips again, this time with a pout. "Hey there, Grace! Come enjoy the flowers with us, won't you?" Then Sheryl breathes an exaggerated sigh, waves a hand, and says with intentional irony, "Honestly! It's like she's too much of an adult to hang out with us teenagers."

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


Ranka giggles lightly as Alto says not to this degree, before saying of his home, "I feel a bit jealous. I can't imagine living around a home that's so pretty all the time." Ranka says, unfortunately not knowing Alto's home life, and his complicated relationship with it.

Before she then turns to Sheryl, expectant for some stories perhaps from time spent touring. When one's been on the Frontier your whole life, stories of anywhere else are precious experiences.

Instead the double entendre is made clear - she didn't get it BEFORE. Because she's a bit innocent in that way, but now she's covering her lips with both hands and blushing a bit.

Milly's intrusion though causes Ranka's hair to rise like they're dog-ears as if Milly caught her, startled, before they flop back down. "Aha... so you realize she's..." She holds up a fingertip like she's going to say something but... puts it down, not really wanting to confront someone new, perhaps too shy to try and ask her to let Sheryl stay incognito.

First she listens to Sheryl's statement, "Oh? I'd heard some things but I didn't realize it was all city." She says in wonder, "If you want tips I could put you in touch with Lucine-san at Nergal. She's an expert on gardening in environments like that."

Part of her doesn't want to imagine Sheryl going home, yet it's inevitable isn't it? Eventually. "... Ah. We do have seasons on the Frontier. The weather's usually very mild though because it's controlled. It's a really nice place to visit, I've lived there my whole life."

That's not strictly true. Only true so far as she's aware.

While Sheryl is calling Grace over she dares to ask Milly, "What's... your name by the way? I'm Ranka Lee." She offers, not perhaps as interesting as Sheryl Nome, but it'd feel rude of her not to say anything. She then leans over to the side to look past Milly at Grace, offering a shy wave. She doesn't know her well enough to comment on her motives for standing apart...

... so all she can do is welcome her over.


<Pose Tracker> Dragates ri Becker has posed.


There's something about the sakura blossom season that attracts even those more suited for war and causing trouble. That had lead to at least one Britannian who had not really taken the time before in his long life to actually be in the Area 11 side of things before drifting around. It's a decent enough break that some doctors even suggested to him.

After all, you can't run a small corporation without some stress. And this was all about the destress. Being a soldier had it's limits, being a Noble even more so along with all that had happened in the past few years. Now, here he was just... wandering. Taking in the sights and sticking to the calm, cool facade that he used as his real self of Valentine Raynsford.

Speaking of outfits, he was wearing an light blue coat over a white t-shirt, black slacks, and loafers. He even had a pair of sunglasses on. It's not flashy, nor is it screaming noble about him. It's just something simple and slightly expensive fashion.

And part of that has him a bit curious perhaps. He doesn't know the music these days, nor does he really bother other than something to relax to on occasion. What has his attention perhaps is the way someone is apparently watching a group of younger teenagers. How he picked it up is a bit of a mystery to even him as he makes his way over and actually looks curious.

"Excuse me, miss? Forgive my rudeness a bit, but you seem familiar and I can not place where from." Valentine says towards the secretary/chaperone type.

Shocker, he's not asking that of Sheryl. But Grace. 

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto doesn't say much more about his home. It's still a bit of a sore point with him. Though he understands how Ranka might feel a bit jealous. For all the problems he has with the place now, it's not like he didn't enjoy things earlier on in his life. And a part of him certainly misses those times.

        But then Sheryl interupts Alto's thoughts on the matter as she steps in closer. It takes pactically shoving the double entendre in Alto's face, both metaphorically and nearly literally, for him to finally get it. Especially as Ranka proceeds to go all embarrased at it. Alto's eyes go a little wide in realization, before he takes a brief step back, managing to sputter out, "W-What's THAT supposed to mean!?" I mean it's not like he didn't notice-well of course he did-it's not exactly hard to see-it's just polite and-besides it's not like he hasn't seen it before-and well he was just trying to-

        Thankfully Milly comes to the rescue. And while Alto has absolutely no idea who she is other than perhaps being a local, he quickly moves on to the new subject, saying, "Of course she realizes. A hat and sunglasses aren't exactly a foolproof disguise..."

        Alot then nods in agreement with Ranka's explanations about the fleets, "It's a full artificial environment, with plants and animals just like a planet. Though far more delicate. But it still needs seasons so that the various lifecycles of living things continue as normal."

<Pose Tracker> Milly Ashford has posed.

Milly just listens before she leaps. From someone who *had* been in the hiding audience, hearing the enthusiastic 'Sheryl-san's from Ranka makes it not a hard guess (and as Alto points out, it's not foolproof -- just enough to discourage casual approach). As someone who is, herself, a noble, she's used to seeing people in high society; she's not going to make a big deal of it. (At least, not in this context.)

When Sheryl addresses Grace, Milly follows the angle of her voice back; she spots the secretary-slash-talent-manager, a little surprised to see her for just a moment. Then again -- if the talent is here, the manager is probably also here.

It seems like she's not going to play the part of a gushing fan, at least. She could ask Sheryl for her signature on something -- she does have her T-shirt in her bag -- but that's kind of classless. Having the good fortune to overhear an idol's private conversation doesn't entitle you to their Business Face.

Insinuating herself into a friend-group, though, is practically one of Milly's free actions. "Huh! That's great, actually. I didn't think people would think about that kind of stuff, but if every day was the same I guess you'd kinda go crazy," she reflects.

"Milly Ashford. I'm Ashford Academy's student council president three-and-a-half years running!" That would make her *at minimum* a fourth-year student... in Japan. She doesn't sound like she's incompetent, though... then again, she hasn't exactly given a ton of data.

Then she hears a Britannian accent, and her brow furrows a little bit. She turns, and asks, "Oh! Are you here to see the cherry blossoms, too?" She scoots over there, instead -- it's both a tactical retreat, to indicate a little bit to Sheryl that she really has no intention of breaching the 'this-is-my-day-off' of the outfit, and a plan to keep *Grace* from being too disengaged from the group as a whole.

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        Not too long ago, Grace was the only constant in Sheryl's life. While groupies and fans would come and go, often with an autograph in hand, they were only a short term interaction and superficial at best. Until recently the normal school life of a girl her age had to yield before the strict demands of an idol's schedule. Having anything resembling normal friends around her age seemed... impossible, honestly. And perhaps it was just partly by design. After all it was never Grace's intention to get attached someone she would see as a young woman. And it's easier to forget that someone is a young woman if they're never allowed to live as one, and instead as an idol.

        Grace tells herself that she is allowing this behavior because this new stimuli, these new experiences seem to be awakening the true power of Sheryl's voice.

        Perhaps... she is ignoring a small stirring deep in her heart at the sight of Sheryl surrounded by beauty, friends and laughter.

        A sharp interruption jars Grace from both her work and her reverie. Sheyrl is calling out to her, demanding as she does that she get over there and enjoy the flowers with the rest of them. The talent manager half closes her eyes and puts on an uneven, uneasy smile as she approaches the rest of the group. "Excuse my intrustion..." she says softly, mostly to Ranka Alto and Milly. She rewinds the conversation in her head that had gone while she was otherwise occupied. Hm a small private garden? Grace pauses to consider, raising a finger to rest against her chin as she maps out the floor plan of the home she shares with Sheryl and moving some of the current rooms and furniture around. "It'd probably be best to keep an indoor garden. The main island lighting is insufficient to support most plant life. I'd be able to draft some holographic floorplans for you to approve later alongside tables for seeds, soil, and equipment. Once you are finished picking one I'll submit it and the work will be done before we get home..."

        She blinks, and then looks down with slightly guilty expression, ".. well once communication is reestablished anyway."

        By now, Sheryl should be used to this. Sometimes Grace seems to 'forget' that communication with Galaxy has been lost since the large Vajra assault. It would only make sense. After all, Galaxy is Grace's home too and as a cyborg she's probably more intimately aware of the absence of Galaxy. She hides it well, but it does seem like she is taking it hard right now as she stands surrounded by the beauty of Earth's cherry blossoms.

        'Excuse me miss?'

        It's an awkward moment perhaps, though one that Valentine Raynsford suddenly thrust himself into. At first Grace doesn't even respond - as if expecting it to be someone referring to the famous Sheryl Nome, her exquisite disguise or not! But when it becomes clear that the masculine voice was referring to Grace instead, the well mannered secretary turns to face Mr. Raynsford, her eyes wide as if to express shock. "Me?" Grace's eyes glow a lighter color of violet momentarily. It's a simple bioscan: A non-invasive analysis designed to pick up on identifying physical traits.

        It's a bit like Face ID, but from a person!

        Once it is done Grace's eyes return to their natural purple color, and with an apologetic smile she offers, "Ah, I'm sorry, I don't believe we have. My name is Grace, and you are?"

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.


        Strike. Alto *and* Ranka rendered utterly flustered. Sheryl laughs in delight and triumph, bouncing on her heels as she stands up straight. "Hmmm, I wonder~?" she lilts, wholly pleased by the reaction she's gotten. But just to make sure he doesn't just grump it off, she bounces over to him and leans in close--very close--close enough to bring her lips to his ear, close enough for him to catch a whiff of her discreet floral perfume.
        
        "You should be grateful. I *hardly ever* do this kind of fan-service," she whispers, before stepping back with another laugh. It really is a wonderful view, isn't it?
        
        Despite all this, she doesn't say anything about Alto's home life. She doesn't know anything about it, anyway. Not really.
        
        Ranka hesitantly starts to ask about Milly recognizing Sheryl, while Alto just comes out and says it. Sheryl sighs and shrugs. "You'd be surprised how often it works. Most people just don't expect to see a star just walking around wherever. I didn't even bother with this much when..." She pauses, glancing briefly at Ranka. "...I was looking for my earring, and that went just fine, didn't it?"
        
        Never mind the fact that she clearly is not wearing two earrings. But Sheryl doesn't bother to elaborate on that. Instead, as Alto and Ranka explain about weather and seasons on the Frontier, she hums in interest, soft and low. "Do you ever see snow? I've only ever seen it in videos," she says, wide-eyed. "I've read that snow, flowers, and the moon are considered the three traditional signs of beauty in Japan."
        
        Which might explain the snow and flower themes in her concert yesterday--though that could just be the transition from winter to spring, but Sheryl just admitted she's never actually experienced that. She does at least immediately appreciate that Milly has both the tact to not act like a super-fan from the word go; that unfazed behavior is why she likes Alto, after all. "True. Life's much more vivid with thrills in it," she remarks to Milly, lips pulling up in a smile. As far as her tenure as student council president goes, she says, "Oh, impressive."
        
        She assumes. Sheryl is not exactly super familiar with school, and as far as she knows, three and a half years of being that is normal. But for teens their age, it *is* a long time no matter how you slice it, and that much at least deserves respect.
        
        But she turns towards another gentleman--one who's approaching *Grace*--and heads on over his way to chat him up. Sheryl gives her a thoughtful look as she leaves, but she lets her go. She brightens at Grace's response. So she *was* paying attention! Not that she expects any less from her manager. "An inside garden sounds nice! Honestly, with how crowded it is in Galaxy, that's just more sensible anyway."
        
        Though while it's nice to talk to Grace like they *could* just submit those plans and have her home ready for her when she returns, well... they're optimistic, not in denial. A wistful cast shades her eyes and smile as Grace corrects herself. Then she brushes her hair back. "Hmmm... No need to rush, anyway." She looks at Ranka, brightening. "Lucine, you said? I certainly wouldn't mind the input of a professional gardener first."
        
        If she doesn't pay any mind to Valentine, it isn't due to a lack of interest. On the contrary, Sheryl keeps this mysterious man in the corner of her eye. It's just so unusual for *Grace* to get approached instead of her, and she has *no* intent on blowing this for her. Maybe Grace can find a special someone to spend her free time with, too~?

<Pose Tracker> Dragates ri Becker has posed.


"Valentine Raynsford." The man says, with a small smile.

A fellow Britannian accent has Valentine looking to Milly. That has him raising an eyebrow before answering her, "I am. I never had the chance to stop by to see them."

He definitely doesn't show any reaction to the scan or whatever Grace did subtly. He does look back to Grace, "Are you certain? I could swear I have seen you somewhere."

Valentine does look perhaps a bit puzzled over it, as if trying to figure out where he is sure he has seen Grace before. Perhaps a little too much, but he sighs, "... hm. Wow. I was hoping maybe you were someone I met at one of the balls or get togethers. I would definitely remember you if it was high school." He rubs his chin, still looking puzzled and probably going over the 'how do I know her' checklist.

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


Alto sputtering at Sheryl's uh... view, causes Ranka to perhaps look a bit self-consciously at herself. Though thankfully Milly's change of subject bails her out from that mental quagmire when Alto brings up Sheryl's disguise and Sheryl insists it works really well, Ranka smiles and backs Sheryl up on that, "It ah... fooled me pretty good." She notes, despite how it so, "I didn't realize it at all until I heard her sing."

The second she did though, she realized it instantly. She'd listened to Sheryl's Albums so many times that she couldn't mistake that singing voice. Ranka would never brag about it, but she has a good ear... for other people at least

Ranka though smiles at Milly, letting Alto explain first about the delicate environment before answering. "It's definitely never boring! Though it does get inconvenient at times. I sometimes forget to check the schedule - and then it turns out I'm on delivery duty at the Nyan-Nyan and..."

Ranka has this look like it's pretty obvious what comes after. As she then nods to Sheryl, "Yes! The forests there get very pretty during the winter. A lot of kids even go ice skating on some of the frozen over ponds. We never have like... a blizzard though." She says it like someone who's never SEEN a blizzard, "So it's always just the right amount of snow and the right temperature to enjoy it."

Milly though introduces herself and she responds in kind, "It's very nice to meet you, and Student Council President! Wow! That's very impressive!" Ranka speaks with such sincerity about how impressed she is by that accomplishment, despite hanging out with Sheryl Nome. Especially for so long, "Your campaign must have been incredible to be President as a first year!"

Ranka then goes briefly cross-eyed, and a finger darts in the air like she's counting the years, puzzled. The math doesn't add up on Milly's tenure... but she doesn't ask, too polite.

She then looks over to Grace and says, "Oh it's no intrusion!" She says as she waves both of her palms apart, "I really don't mind. Besides... as Sheryl-san's manager you should enjoy yourself too."

Ranka blinks at how quickly Grace addresses Sheryl's desire for a garden, "I-Impressive! As expected of Grace-san."

And then the man addresses Grace, and Ranka looks from Milly to him, with a sense of uncertainty. If this is Grace's business she doesn't want to intrude in on it. Instead she looks Sheryl's way and hits the small plushie Salamander phone, sending her Lucine's number. She then gives her a little 'ok' sign with two fingers as if trying to share a secret with her without offending Grace.

Grace will know anyway, she gets all of Ranka's calls and texts.

Still, Ranka is watching Grace expectantly too, who could this man be??? Is he some old flame? It's the kind of drama that she as a relatively innocent teenager is riveted by.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        "Alto Saotome. Mihoshi Academy, pilot's course." A polite, if somewhat brief introduction. He doesn't actually mention his connection with SMS at this point. Though he doesn't appear to be hiding it, if any of the others want to bring it up. He just doesn't think it's wholely relevant right now. Though when Milly mentions her long tenure as council president, he looks a little impressed, saying, "You must really like the job to stick around for that long." He has a passing familiarity with the Japan schooling structure. Though he doesn't comment any more on it, there's plenty of reasons why someone might end up staying longer than is usual.

        As Sheryl gets close though, Alto instinctively leans back a bit as if he's afraid of what she's about to do. And from the perspective of the others, whatever it is that she seems to whisper to him makes him go a bit red as he stutters back, "I-It's not like I'm asking for it, or anything!" When Sheryl steps back again, Alto relaxes once more, sighing in resignation with a look on his face that is practically screaming 'Why me?'.

        When a Britannian approaches and interacts with Grace, Alto only pays partial attention to it. He doesn't have any particular connection to Grace. The two have probably only exchanged polite pleasantries at most. So Alto's not going to insert himself into her business... Though the fact that Grace says she doesn't know the man but he continues to insist he does know her seems a little off to Alto for some reason. It's probably nothing.

        Though when Alto turns his head to look at Ranka, only to find her apparently highly invested in the conversation between the two, Alto just shakes his head. He doesn't understand the appeal. Alto glances at Milly, asking her, "Is this typical behaviour of girls on Earth too or is it just the ones in space that are weird?"

<Pose Tracker> Milly Ashford has posed.

The threads come together a bit; Milly is content to *have* signaled Sheryl that she's not going to ruin her day off, but she's actually pretty glad that Grace is heading over to hang out with the rest of them -- and by extension, Mr. Raynsford is making his way over too.

"I've got a keen eye for people," Milly notes for Sheryl, by way of explanation. "I need to be able to keep tabs on the student council even when they're dressed up pretty elaborately. I'm good at spotting key features under a lot of stuff." With a wry smirk, she adds, "You've also got a *very* enthusiastic friend."

She is suspiciously silent at the idea of having been president as a first-year. She'll let Ranka figure that out. The comment on enjoying her job gets a, "I have fun. *Someone* needs to keep Ashford from getting stuffy~"

She sizes up Alto more fully. Hmmm... he'd be fun, she thinks. "Maybe we should reach out to Mihoshi for an exchange project. I could use someone like you for a couple of projects." There's just a *bit* too much mischief in that look to be wholesome. The question gets a, "Usually, yeah. Even I'm a little intrigued, and I don't think I 'know' any of you yet."

And *finally* she does what she'd intended, and orients more fully toward Mr. Raynsford. "Were you at the concert?" she asks, thinking of ways to jog his memory.

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        Another constant in Young Sheryl's life: Grace never showed much interest in romance.

        Well, at least not romance where she was concerned. While Ms. O'Connor had drawn the eye of many men and women on occasion, it would seem that she was always too oblivious, too busy, or frankly too shy to give any of them the time of day. Though there has been the case once or twice that Sheryl has witnessed where a particularly... pushy individual has ended up with a broken arm for their trouble. Grace's prosthesis also include implants designed toward acting as a bodyguard... which isn't to say that the body she is guarding can't be her own.

        Alongside attention from Britannian nobility, Ranka can't help but exclaim with how impressed she is with Grace's efficiency. It's enough to earn her slight, appreciating smile from the secretary. Just the sort of thing you'd expect from a woman who you gave a complement to... though perhaps less from the woman who is secretly hacking into and crashing all your streams and promotional websites.

        What causes the smile to falter somewhat is when there's a subtle shift in atmosphere. It's particularly most strongly felt from Sheryl and Ranka, though in reality there's something... uniquely hormone addled about this situation. A beautiful and beleaguered secretary, forced (well not really) to give up her day off so that she might escort a crowd of excited teenagers like they were on a school trip. On the other side? A mysterious and handsome nobleman confusing her with someone he has seen before. Perhaps their eyes caught one another's from across a ballroom floor? Perhaps in High School... where one's noble status and the other's common birth would doom them to live in separate worlds! Thus marked by fate's cruel slap, the young woman fled from life on Earth to flee into deep space so as to never lay her long suffering eyes upon the painfully-handsome face of her beloved ever again. Then tragedy, but chance, strikes!! Bringing the woman home from across impossible leagues to return to the gaze of her beloved. How they have changed: Their faces, their voices... but perhaps in each others arms they would remem...

        "I'm certain this is the first time we've met in person. You must be mistaken." Grace states with finality.

        It's a bit like all the pressure in the room has been pricked with a needle and drains in a comically drawn out wet spluttering. If Grace was aware of what the teenage girls were hoping would develop from this story, of giving any indication that Grace herself was once some sort of lovestruck teenager, the lady cyborg seems to be having none of it. If she even really noticed it at all.

        'Were you at the concert?' Milly's voice pipes up as if to help Viscount Raynsford jog his memory.

        Grace casually adjusts her glasses, "Yes, Viscount Valentine Raynsford was in attendance. Private booth, third level. He arrived shortly before the concert began and was one of the first escorted out by security during the attack. Similarly, he was one of the first to disembark after we reached Britannian territorial waters." She adds, "Unless you make it a habit to avoid security checkpoints, I don't think we'd have had a chance to meet each other face to face."
=ooc loll 

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.


        When Ranka pipes up that Sheryl's hat-and-shades look fooled *her*, Sheryl turns a smug smile Alto's way, as if to say, 'See?' It turns into a full-on grin, cat-like in its mischievous, at his continued sputtering. "Aren't you~?" she teases, winking. After all, it's that exact flustered reaction that makes teasing him so much fun in the first place.
        
        But for now, she'll let him off the hook. *For now*. After all, Grace is still dealing with a man who *insists* he knows her from somewhere, and Ranka, dear, adorable Ranka, can't keep her eyes off it. Sheryl gives them both an amused, fond look. With Grace having come over, she doesn't need to split her attention either, and that girl Milly has come back, too. She finds she doesn't mind her company at all--or at least, she's nailed that first impression. Sheryl hasn't actually introduced herself, after all, nor has Milly tried to make her say it. A genuine class act.
        
        "I can tell! You seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders," she replies. "I admit, I don't really know much of anything about what a student council does, but from what I've heard, they seem important." To their local school, anyway. Sheryl grins at her comment about an enthusiastic friend. She leans over and whispers behind one hand, "Isn't she the cutest?"
        
        Her eyes narrow, though, as Milly turns her attention to *Alto*, and indicates that she'd like to play with him too. "Oh, an exchange project? That sounds like fun!" she declares, moving over to his side and--whether he wants her to or not--attempting to drape an arm over his shoulder while she rests a hand on her hip. "Actually, all three of us attend Mihoshi Academy. Ranka-chan and I transferred in just recently." She winks, tapping one finger to her smile. "So if you do pull that off, you might just have a gold mine on your hands."
        
        In other words, she's down to play... but Milly'd better stay mindful of whose toy Alto is. (Or maybe offer a toy of equal value back. Fair's fair.)
        
        Meanwhile, her *other* entertainment has made it clear she's not playing along. Sheryl sighs in resignation, smiling as she shakes her head. That's Grace for you, all right. Besides, it's true. Sheryl is *pretty certain* this Earth man has never met a woman fresh from the Macross fleet before. Even if apparently this man--who is apparently nobility--*was* at her concert.
        
        "Hmmm... Is that so?" she wonders, looking Valentine over with an assessing look. Then she smiles. "Well, it's nice to make your acquaintance."
        
        She still doesn't introduce herself. She's firmly in 'play' mode right now.

<Pose Tracker> Dragates ri Becker has posed.

A few moments or so it takes Valentine to think it over, then he snaps his fingers, "Oh! You are Sheryl's agent, correct? My security showed me a photograph at one point, now that I think about it. I was mostly there for the music and entertainment."

He shakes his head, "I would have joined in the battle, but I do not have the skills these days for Variable Fighter piloting."

He doesn't seem disappointed about the whole romance thing. Then again, he's nobility. He probably gets one every once in a while trying for who knows what. It's all part of being a noble!

The mention of his being a Viscount has him shaking his head, "Please. Viscount is whenever I am doing busines usually. If this was just business, well... a lot more guards, not being able to enjoy the scenery."

Sounds dreadfully unpleasant!

"I did enjoy the show, however." He says with a small smile. 

<Pose Tracker> Ranka Lee has posed.


Ranka looks a bit shy at being called Sheryl Nome's very enthusiastic friend. She still can't even believe she knows Sheryl Nome personally - much less can be considered her friend! It's taking some getting used to, but she's enjoying every moment of it. She doesn't spot Sheryl whispering behind a hand to Milly or she'd probably sink a bit into the sakura petals.

Ranka gives Milly a curious look, "Oh is it a very... restrictive school? The all-girl's school I attended before Mihoshi was like that before I..." Got suspended indefinitely for participating in Miss Macross she's grateful that instead Sheryl put another far more acceptable word in her head, "... transferred."

Before Milly sizes up Alto, and Ranka in her innocence of Milly's nature notes, "Alto-kun is very talented! You should see how he flies in his EX-Frame." Ranka please, that's definitely not what Milly wants him for. Though Sheryl notes what a gold mine it is, and she pipes in gently, "Or even a diamond mine." It's less a correction of Sheryl's statement and more just - her appraising Sheryl and Alto that highly. It's also her own way of appreciating Sheryl's music since well... Diamond Crevasse is one of her favorite songs.

Ranka hears Alto's question to Milly, and makes a small 'huh' before it registers and she puts her fists at both sides protesting, "Mean!" Yet she doesn't elaborate further, she's not gonna talk about being interested in Grace's personal life openly. That might upset Grace. Yet she certainly was imagining all kinds of things that might have gone on between them.

When Grace insists it's the first time the two have met in person... well it changes the nature of the conversation at once. Though she doesn't say anything, she sideeyes the Britannian as if a possible ulterior motive just registered that he wants to flirt with a woman he walked up to.%

Milly though asks if he was at the concert, and Ranka puts a hand up to her mouth at Grace's answer, "Deculture!" She definitely doesn't mean it in the traditional way - instead the new-gen appropriated way. "Grace-san..." She just says her name as if awed and a little disquieted by her information gathering abilities. And the man seems to recognize Grace - and say he wanted to join the fight.

"It's okay that you weren't able to. It all turned out alright. And it's all thanks to Alto-kun and Sheryl-san."

Sheryl might find that one unusual. Why does Ranka think that it turned out alright thanks to her? Was it because her new song was that calming or...?

Ranka's cute Salamander phone rings and Ranka reflexively squishes it to silence it - as a chibi icon of Ozma Lee comes up on screen. "It's... my Oniichan." Ranka looks apologetically to Alto, Sheryl, and Milly. "I should take this." She doesn't look that excited about it. As she politely steps off to the side. "Promise I won't be too long."

Ranka steps far, far, far away from the group. She knows this is probably going to get heated.

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto gets that same resigned look as Sheryl proceeds to lean on him. Though it doesn't look like he actually catches the unspoken interplay between the two, instead taking Milly's words at face value. His interest does actually look peaked for a moment as he considers it, "An exchange project... Hmmm. Could be interesting. I mean, we're already down here and I have no current plans to return. It seems like my bosses are intent on keeping me Earthside for now. And my work with them counts as credit towards my course." Plus, Alto wouldn't be surprised if a certain someone is responsible for that just to keep him around.

        Though, Alto does wonder, asking Milly, "Does your academy have a pilot's course?" It's not uncommon to have them in the fleets, where piloting is very big. But Alto doesn't know whether it's the same down on Earth.

        At the mention of Sheryl and Ranka both also being students at Mihoshi, Alto nods, "You might want to rethink including this one in the exchange." He motions his head to the Sheryl leaning on him, "When she showed up at Mihoshi, it was chaos."

        As Ranka mentions her brother, Alto instinctively freezes with a mild look of terror on his face. He watches with concern as she moves away to take the call. Alto then adds, "She, uh, might actually be a while..." Alto is DEFINITELY glad he's not the one taking THAT call.

<Pose Tracker> Milly Ashford has posed.

"... I'm envious," Milly stage-whispers to Sheryl as Grace rattles off where exactly Mr. Raynsford was sitting, as well as his full name and title. "I'd love to have a Secretary and VP that motivated to pay attention to this stuff. I can't even get them to file club expense reports on time without physically hitting them with them." On Ranka, she adds, "I don't know... she's cute, but Ashford's got a couple of girls who could give her a run for her money."

An idol, a cutie, *and* an Alto? That sounds like a project worth investing in, to Milly. "Well, I know what I'm doing with the rest of spring break," she says, a big smirk crossing her face. She lets Mr. Raynsford handle his side of things, now; he seems to have gotten stuck in. The comment about lacking the skills for VF piloting lately gets a momentary raised eyebrow. "You could've commandeered one of the construction pieces... they're pretty easy." She's been exposed to a cockpit a fair few times, for family -- and school -- reasons.

And speaking of piloting -- "I'll have to get a closer look," Milly says, taking the suggestion in the spirit in which it's offered. "We've got a few pilots at school, come to think... maybe it'll be good to have some back and forth." A lot of the people she knows have experience there... could use some friends with any amount of shared life experience. "We don't have a pilot course, but we *do* have a club. I've been considering asking my grandfather to expand it, though -- it seems a little old-fashioned *not* to have a course, at this point!"
Grace_O'Connor | |@emit %tWhen Sheryl lets out a sigh in resignation, Grace steps to the side so she can look back to her in apparent confusion. After all, isn't this what Grace always does? Someone asks her a question, and she gets them the best most accurate answer available. Furthermore Sheryl also knew that Grace was keeping track of all passengers and crew aboard the luxury liner before the most performance! After all they had wanted to avoid... well... something like what happened anyway from happening.%r%r%tThough to be fair it's a bit hard to prevent people from attacking your performance when they bring their own battlepods, after all!%r%r%tReally at this point Grace just seems to be completely flummoxed at why her young charge would be expressing resigned disappointed at her secretary. Regardless though she provides a polite smile and allows the younger woman to step forward and make Viscount Raynsford's acquaintance.%r%r%tIt's also at around that moment that Valentine recognizes who she is. Or at least, that she's Sheryl's agent. "Yes, that's right." There's no real point in denying it at this point... though just when she was starting to look more comfortable, she instead starts looking sheepish once more. This was after all more or less what she guaranteed wouldn't happen. And now it's all but guaranteed that next time Sheryl agrees to take her manager out for one of her 'incognito adventures' she's also going to demand that they dress her up first.%r%r%t... at this point Grace feels like there's a flashy red and gold cheongsam dress with her name all over it...%r%r%t"'Mostly there?'" Grace repeats Valentine's exact phrasing, but then an exclamation of 'Deculture!' from Ranka regarding her answer draws her attention. This time instead of a pleased smile, Grace just offers a more apologetic looking one. She knows that sometimes people get a bit nervous when she displays just how close an eye she keeps on everyone - even if it's just for Sheryl's safety, of course.%r%r%t'You might want to rethink including this one in the exchange.' Grace catches that bit of the conversation and once again refers back into her audio buffer to catch a bit more of the context behind the conversation. Ah so Sheryl would like to attend that as well? She suspected as such of course. With a single smooth motion, Sheryl's secretary draws her PDA into her hand and begins typing into its surface.%r%r%tWhile Sheryl is still busy introducing herself to Mr. Raynsford, Grace turns back to face Milly and Alto. She offers a pleasant smile. While it's not at all clear she overheard what Milly had to say about her (she did), it's clear she is very much going to continue making Milly feel envious, "I went ahead and took the liberty of drafting a proposal regarding the exchange. I've suggested using it as an opportunity to expand the piloting club while testing for interest in offering a piloting course. Furthermore I've offered our help to advertise the course, while arranging the exchange dates to minimize overlap with Sheryl's other obligations. Would you like me to send them to you for review, Ms. Ashford, or would you like me to go ahead and send them on to your school's administrators?"
Grace O'Connor says, "Wow" 

<Pose Tracker> Grace O'Connor has posed.

        When Sheryl lets out a sigh in resignation, Grace steps to the side so she can look back to her in apparent confusion. After all, isn't this what Grace always does? Someone asks her a question, and she gets them the best most accurate answer available. Furthermore Sheryl also knew that Grace was keeping track of all passengers and crew aboard the luxury liner before the most performance! After all they had wanted to avoid... well... something like what happened anyway from happening.

        Though to be fair it's a bit hard to prevent people from attacking your performance when they bring their own battlepods, after all!

        Really at this point Grace just seems to be completely flummoxed at why her young charge would be expressing resigned disappointed at her secretary. Regardless though she provides a polite smile and allows the younger woman to step forward and make Viscount Raynsford's acquaintance.

        It's also at around that moment that Valentine recognizes who she is. Or at least, that she's Sheryl's agent. "Yes, that's right." There's no real point in denying it at this point... though just when she was starting to look more comfortable, she instead starts looking sheepish once more. This was after all more or less what she guaranteed wouldn't happen. And now it's all but guaranteed that next time Sheryl agrees to take her manager out for one of her 'incognito adventures' she's also going to demand that they dress her up first.

        ... at this point Grace feels like there's a flashy red and gold cheongsam dress with her name all over it...

        "'Mostly there?'" Grace repeats Valentine's exact phrasing, but then an exclamation of 'Deculture!' from Ranka regarding her answer draws her attention. This time instead of a pleased smile, Grace just offers a more apologetic looking one. She knows that sometimes people get a bit nervous when she displays just how close an eye she keeps on everyone - even if it's just for Sheryl's safety, of course.

        'You might want to rethink including this one in the exchange.' Grace catches that bit of the conversation and once again refers back into her audio buffer to catch a bit more of the context behind the conversation. Ah so Sheryl would like to attend that as well? She suspected as such of course. With a single smooth motion, Sheryl's secretary draws her PDA into her hand and begins typing into its surface.

        While Sheryl is still busy introducing herself to Mr. Raynsford, Grace turns back to face Milly and Alto. She offers a pleasant smile. While it's not at all clear she overheard what Milly had to say about her (she did), it's clear she is very much going to continue making Milly feel envious, "I went ahead and took the liberty of drafting a proposal regarding the exchange. I've suggested using it as an opportunity to expand the piloting club while testing for interest in offering a piloting course. Furthermore I've offered our help to advertise the course, while arranging the exchange dates to minimize overlap with Sheryl's other obligations. Would you like me to send them to you for review, Ms. Ashford, or would you like me to go ahead and send them on to your school's administrators?" 

<Pose Tracker> Dragates ri Becker has posed.


Valentine shrugs, looking to Grace, "I grew up on classical and ball room music. It sticks with you even years later." He gives what is supposed to be a charming smile, "I did enjoy the concert and look forward to more, however."

Blinking at Milly's suggestion, Valentine makes a face, "No thank you. I'm still looking for something that I can modify for my own use." Then it seems as if a light bulb goes on a bit.

"Ashford?" He looks carefully at Milly, "Hm... as in the ones associated with the Knightmare research early on?" That seems to have Valentine intrigued a bit. "I always wondered where your family went. Running an academy, of all things?" 

<Pose Tracker> Sheryl Nome has posed.


        Ranka ranks Sheryl up from gold and into diamond (crevasse) territory, and Sheryl can't help but giggle. "You really are sweet," she says. She scoffs, though, at Alto's claim that Milly ought to re-think inviting *her* along, folding her arms even as she playfully bumps him with her hip. "The best *kind* of chaos! The chaos that's focused around *me*."
        
        She's joking. Even she thinks it was a disaster. But it did work out fine in the end, so she can't be genuinely upset about it.
        
        Her eyes turn concerned when Ranka takes a call from her brother, and Alto seems chilled to the bone about it. "Poor girl," she says sympathetically, though silently she wonders what it would've been like to have a sibling.
        
        Oh well. That life is well and fully behind her now. Instead, she smiles at Milly when she whispers her envy over Grace's competence. "Too bad! You can't have her," she stage-whispers back, waggling a finger. Then she scoffs again, harder, when Milly claims there are girls at her school even cuter than Ranka. "Well! You're just going to have to prove *that* one!"
        
        So when Grace picks up on Sheryl's interest, and literally minutes later offers Milly a whole set-up to make it happen just like that, Sheryl simply smirks, radiating smugness. (As for the pilot's program, she's also in that, and it *is* a shame that Ashford Academy doesn't have that--but if they can get that set up, well, that works for her too.) For now, though, she'll leave the others to talk business (and poor Ranka to argue with her brother). She'll indulge herself and wander off to more closely admire the blooming trees--not too far away, but far enough. 

<Pose Tracker> Alto Saotome has posed.

        Alto is certainly not going to disagree about potentially bringing a pilot's course to Ashford. Though when Grace proceeds to go all super manager on the idea, Alto is both impressed and a little intimidated. That's some serious organizational skills... Not to mention some rapid decision making.

        "Well... It seems like this might end up happening quicker than either one of us expected." Alto isn't quite sure why Grace is so invested in helping. Perhaps she's simply being a good manager for Sheryl, who does appear to want to participate in the exchange. Regardless, he nods to Milly, "I think it'd be interesting to meet some of the pilots at some point. Until then though..." Alto glances over in the direction of poor Ranka, "I might go see how she's doing. Her brother is very..." Scary... "Overprotective."

<Pose Tracker> Dragates ri Becker has posed.


Valentine happens to look considerate, then shrugs, "I can see if I can contact some of my old friends from the military who are looking to settle down. I take it by pilots you are referring to Variable Fighters? Or would you prefer Knightmare Frames?"

The Noble looks considerate, "In fact, what is a good day to come by? I can take a look to see if there is a good spot to add in for the such things? You might also include a maintenance and mechanics course. It comes in handy if you are caught in the field."

He looks very, very considerate of it.

<Pose Tracker> Milly Ashford has posed.

"Hmmm -- send a copy to my student account *and* the headmaster's." It's her grandfather, after all; she can't speak for him *universally*, but for this, at least, she can encourage everyone get read in as fast as possible. "Thank you, ma'am! *My* stamp is mostly a formality, and I can't imagine my grandfather will feel too much differently."

Sotto voce again, she murmurs, "You have a legend on your hands."

The idea that Sheryl is a chaos-causer seems to make Milly even more excited about this possibility. "She's *definitely* invited. If the student body gets excited about it..." A pause. "... honestly it's not likely. We already have Hathaway Noa, Suzaku Kururugi, and Kenji Kusanagi on the rolls... you'll have to watch out for the gossips, but there's a limit to how starstruck people can get."

Finally: Valentine. "Yes, that's right," she says, trying not to get a little irritated. "We've been in Area 11 for several years now -- since before the occupation, actually. Do you know my mother?" There's just a *hint* of tension there.

The other question, though... "Curriculum development isn't my responsibility, but I think Grandfather would be delighted to have any resources you can commit." Milly's in business mode for this particular comment.

... and *only* this, it'd seem. "I'll go make a few calls about it right now, actually!" she says, with a nod and a smile. "Thank you for the idea -- and the support."

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