2022-08-31: Traveling

Log: 2022-08-31: Traveling
Cast: Akane Shinjo, Alexis Kerib
Where: Tsutsujidai - Mall; Tsutsujidai - Akane's Room
Date: U.C. 0096 08 31
Summary: A plan forms.

Two new sofubi shift in a shopping bag. A collection finished.

The bag slides down to an elbow as a phone lights up, its screen starting to scroll.

Unread VERTEX Messages

2-D/2-E Girls' Group Chat

So, if the teachers aren't going to check our summer homework until after the festival... day out?
Waterpolis!
Ako, you always want to go to Waterpolis.
I was thinking shopping, myself.
I'll get a head count for Waterpolis in DMs.
We could try Bottom World if we do it after the Millympic Games!
I don't think Bottom World is ever going to actually reopen. Still, Earth Waterpolis might be nice...

Ako

I feel like I owe you better feedback on your new outfit. 
It's good, but I can tell you're struggling to breathe in that thing...
I wouldn't mind going shopping with you. Remember May in first year when we got your hoodie? That was fun, right?
Are you in for Waterpolis? I don't mind if it's just Ramo, but...

Yutaka

Do you have Furuma's or Marusan's VERTEX?
I don't need it but Marusan left her ribbon tie in the classroom today. She looks tired again.

Marusan

We missed you at the festival this week.
Are you sick again? That sucks.
I know he's not really your responsibility, but is your little brother okay? Ako said she thought she saw him in town again the other day.
Ako really wants to go to Waterpolis. You could bring him along. Middle schoolers get a price break until November. If it's a big deal I can spot you, too.

Kagari

I got invited to the Millympic Games!! After that we might look at Earth Waterpolis!
It sounds fun. Are you coming?

Hibiki

[An animated picture of a cat rolling over, leading to it flopping out of a human bed and directly into a cat bed.]

Left on read. There will be all the time in the world for theme parks, aquariums, and cats after a Vessel of Light dies.

(Or there will be no time, if someone could provide the love a monster deserves.)

A room as sickly yellow-lit as always. Teal light flickers through it, dancing in the indoor darkness as the sunset outside fades from red to black.

"So I was thinking -- the best I ever did was against Renais." Scratch. Scrape. Fresh clay working its way into cracks. "And for that... I used someone else. So hey -- you have access to all of BioNet's files. Why don't you give me something interesting to work with? Maybe somewhere in Japan?"

The figure on the monitor remains as static as ever. "Hmmm... define interesting."

A sigh, as the first repaired figure takes its place on the cutting mat. "You know. Somewhere I can count on a little BioNet backup if I start something."

"... Kabukicho? The Red Dragon Crime Syndicate operates there, and the original Tokyo has a charm to it for human and alien criminals alike... and there are a few areas I'm sure they'd even be happy to see you! Kaiju attacks have a tendency to shake up the real estate."

Scrape. Scrape. A second model at the ready. "Hmmm. Not bad. Not super imaginative, but I think we're really on the right track! Did you see how close I came with GaoFighGar?"

"You did a magnificent job, Akane-kun... each of your kaiju really is stronger than the last. And this is the most motivated I've ever seen you!"

"Yeah... we're really getting close." Tap. Tap. Finger touches desk... a breath in. A breath out. "Gonna have to leave Tsutsujidai for this one, huh. Can't keep an eye on it without getting a little closer!"

The figure scrutinizes. A tense situation, but potentially very promising. "Are you truly so worried about your kaiju's performance that you'd leave this place...? So bold in your violence now! I'm a little impressed, Akane-kun; beating Guy Shishioh within an inch of his life seems to have truly awakened some bloodlust in you!"

Tap. Tap. "Yeah. This place... won't go away if I leave or anything, will it?"

"Of course not. Since that troublesome Anti upset things, your world and the one you left are very much the same." Alexis laughs, and affirms, "You can even travel as I do, now... within certain limits."

Well, Akane thinks, at least it's better than having him drive me around. "Perfect."