Description: A torrential downpour in Southtown, none should be out and about. Yet in the dark and gloom two red shapes close in on one another and reunions are made. The red umbrella belonging to the ninja and the red raincoat belonging to the musican, it has been a while since the two last met in their civilian guises and they discuss the possibility of an alliance of sorts....plus boys, arranged marriages, and becoming Idol singers?! Ibuki and Yurika come full circle in their meetings.
Spring seems to be growing ever closer, but the weather's wasted little time in giving a major preview.. A gloomy, cloudy Tuesday evening hits Southtown, and it is absolutly pouring rain, rain so thick that it's difficult to see further out than a few yards.
Traffic is backed up, there's hardly anyone outside and there are even flood warnings out as many streets and sidewalks are already hitting the three inch mark.
Needless to say, this isn't a fantastic evening to be doing much of anything, and yet there is one soul out tonight with plans to do -something-, and that person would be Yurika Kirishima. She's just recently left the grounds of Seijyun, and is on her way toward the business district, clad in darkish clothing, save for a red raincoat, hood over her head and hands in pockets. Normally she would be in her office enjoying a warm cup of tea but she'd recieved a rather nice bit of information- Bottom line is she's looking for someone, and she fully intends to run into that someone this evening~.
Rain even in a city like Southtown is cleansing, even if it was dangerous due to possible floods or even the overcast and gloomy nature, rain cleanses the world so that when the sun inevitably comes again and dries the world there is a freshness again to even old and forlorn things. Though the fact there are few people out is both an unfortunate consequence of the heavy rain and an uncommond blessing.
Red so vibrant and alive that even in the gloom and concealing quality of the rain it is visible, the vague shape in the rain flitters around this way and that as though it was floating upon the rain before the drops continued on their path to strike the ground. As this thing cuts through the rain like a blade through the air, it becomes more distinct and there is a sound accompanying it. At first it is unclear due to the rush of the heavy rain, but it is energetic humming to a beat...actually if one listens it's the rhythm of a Athena Asamiya song and the red thing is a traditional but rather large and sturdy Japanese paper and bamboo umbrella beneath which is a girl humming to herself as she grins.
Ibuki had a lot on her mind there was some oddness with her team going on and then there had been that girl with Cammy that had caused her hair to stand on in from the latent hostility surround her. It seemed that Sagat's warning to stay away from Cammy had been right this might very well cause her to no longer lead a normal life...and then her team had been hard to reach and Ken had been really odd in his match against that last guy of Team NESTs, she was a bit worried to be honest. Thus when the rain started to poor down in buckets Ibuki thought it a good time to take a walk, listen to some music, and just not worry about anything. She'd succeeded so well that she's been practically dancing in the park despite the rain for the last 15 minutes as she closed in unknowingly on the Seijyun gates....but more important almost slamming into Yurika as she practically appeared out of the rain in her red rain coat...
"WOAH!!!" Ibuki instantly stops and awkwardly balance on her tip toes for a few moments before regaining her balance, "Wasn't expecting anyone else out in this weather." Her voice a cheerful chirp as she talks to the red hooded figure in the driving rain.
Yurika had been doing this and that to keep tabs on the tournament; but much to her disappointment she wasn't able to pull off the publicity stunt she was hoping to do- But that's not a story worth telling now. As the dark-eyed girl continued along her path with squinted eyes, she didn't seem aware she was hitting an intersection at the same time as the perky ninja..
Not that it mattered, in the end, a second was all she needed to notice someone getting too close and took a step to the side- Unaware that Ibuki had already brought herself to a stop at first. Once she was aware, she noticed impressive balance.
She then noticed she didn't exactly recognize the girl. Yet the almost care-free cheer in her tone was extremely familiar, "I could say the same, of course," the young lady replies with a patient smile, "I am a fan of 'Singin' in the Rain' as well, but aren't you perhaps taking it a touch too far?"
Ibuki beneath her umbrella finally regains her balance and lets out a little relieved breath as she looks to the girl in the red raincoat. Ibuki isn't particularly dressed for the weather save for the umbrella and long brown coat she wears otherwise a pair of khakis and tennis shoes as well as a light blue shirt though it's hard to tell what type thanks to the coat is all the 'preperation' she has.
Twirling the umbrella idly as the other girl comments, "Well I wouldn't call it singing more like humming and dancing really." Ibuki chuckles lightly as she gets a closer look at the familiar sounding and looking girl beneath the hood briefly flashing on her partner in the J2 tournament before hitting upon Yurika from Seijyun.
With a genuine and cheerful grin, Ibuki's hand leaps out as she uses the one with the umbrella to bop the palm of her now outstretched hand, "Yurika! You gave me a tour of your school a while ago and asked me to consider joining didn't you! How've you been?" Her voice energetic, "Sorry I couldn't tell right away thanks to the rain, though that should be obvious since I almost ran over you." She holds up a hand in front of her face the edge of her palm facing Yurika as she bows slightly, "Sorry about that again too."
Another brief squint of her eyes; Ibuki was speaking to her so familiarly all of a sudden! Now there were a number of reasons why Yurika should remember this girl, of course, but this is likely the first time she'd gotten involved with someone with two identities- and having met the both of them. It's a bit jarring.
But not long after she recognizes the schoolgirl and it causes her lips curl slightly into a smile, "Please, consider it forgotten Ibuki," she murmurs with a shake of her head. "I recognize you as well, forgive my moment of being scatterbrained. And yes, I know it was humming but-" Sigh. Youth. They never get older jokes.
"Never mind that, it is nice to see you again, though, it has been quite some time. So tell me, did you find that special boyfriend yet?" Kicking things off with a bang, that musician.
Ibuki waves her hand before her and shakes her head, "No no don't worry about it, this rain does make it hard to make out details until you're up very very close on something!" Enthusing her words energetically as grips her umbrella with both hands and covers them both with it under its wide cover, "So what has you out and about in this?" Tilting her head at the rain as she asks, "I was out to clear my head about some stuff I've had my mind on the last few days." Ibuki might be a ninja but sometimes the best way to throw off any questions is a direct statement of truth.
"It has been a while." Agreeing as her smile gets thoughtful due to Yurika's follow up question thus it takes Ibuki a few moments before gets a sheepish look, "Nope...sadly haven't had much chance to go boy watching or opportunity to find a good guy at all, run into some jerks though." The smile gets a bit wider as she looks at Yurika, "How about you? Found any good guys..." It seems for a moment that she really means that before she lets out a snicker and shakes her head, "Not that you were looking for any, I think you have your eye out for people to join your school if I remember right! So any luck with that?"
The gesture of holding the umbrella over her actually catches Yurika a bit by surprise- Not because she thinks Ibuki is a bad person or anything but it's a rather rare gesture these days, at least for non Seijyn students. Apparently, however, Yurika seems to share the same philosophy; at least for the most part, "Oh, I was out looking for someone.. Though I suppose considering the weather it may have been a waste of time," the musician replies with a small smile and a nod of her head, "Ah.. Thank you, Ibuki. For the umbrella."
Yurika doesn't seem surprised in the least by Ibuki's sheepish reply; in the musician's opinion, Ibuki just doesn't really seem the type that could settle down with anyone who isn't a -specific- archetype. But she's not a matchmaker, is she? "Of course I'm not," she replies, not accusingly, but in agreement. "There aren't as many gentlemen in Southtown as there used to be.. Really, the social culture in Southtown in general is simply dreadful, a rather tasteless stain on the once pristine culture of Japan.." Yuruka gives a little sign, "Though yes I am still 'scouting'. And it has been some time since I've found anyone who really needs my guidance. It's funny, now that I have more time to do it, now that I am employed, it seems only more difficult to find people."
Not that she makes a big deal about it but Ibuki isn't from Southtown and thus has a bit more of a traditional Japanese upbringing, though she's adapted nicely to the city and its lifestyle every so often she'll do things that show off that fact, and while she has no romantic feelings for Yurika it's still a nice thing to do for someone in just a raincoat especially when you have an oversized umbrella anyway. "Hmm? Who were you lookingfor?" Curious brown eyes blink before Ibuki chuckles, "Yeah I doubt you'll have much luck out in this weather." With a small shake of her head, "No need for thanks, I have a lot of extra room under this thing and you were getting soaked."
The grin on her lips twists just slightly to show that the girl is trying to hold back a giggle at Yurika's initial response, "You say that like there's no guy at all out there for you." A quick playful wink, "Don't give up hope I'm sure there is one somewhere for you!" It seems hope springs eternal in Ibuki's heart despite Yurika's opinion of the culture of Southtown, "It could be far worse here, people can be pretty nice if you give them a chance." A shake of her head sends her long hair to swaying, "So just haven't had much luck with any prospects since you've been so busy?"
Yurika didn't think quite that far into it, she wasn't really familiar with Ibuki's upbringing, and for the most part didn't expect such a friendly gesture despite being somewhat of aquaintences. But clearly it's appreciated. As for what she was looking for? "A ninja," she replies, gloved hand raised to her chin, "I suspected there would be one out this evening, but it'd appear I was mistaken. Or they're better hidden than I expected."
Her expression doesn't shift much from the teasing though, as she nips that one in the bud with two words, "Arranged marriage." and as for Ibuki's opinion on Southtown, Yurika's gaze shifts to the side, "Hmn yes. All it took was a war to break out in the middle of Southtown, that's all. I will admit things are better now than they were before but I still don't like it. I aim to change things of course, which is why I have been trying to get more involved in community activities. As you could imagine it'd keep me quite busy; but thankfully I do have some help with my scouting efforts. Speaking of which, how is your schooling situation currently?"
Ibuki just gives Yurika a look as she says ninja and her jaw drops quite literally, then she snickers, chortles, and finally lets out a few large belly laughs before she gets a hold of herself. She raises a hand and waves it, "So-sorry...that was so unexpected...I didn't think you could joke like that at all." A playful smile flashes at Yurika, "Ninja's in the modern world and out in this weather, why would any ninja be out in this weather let alone just happen by Seijyun?"
Practically pouting at Yurika's answer, Ibuki huffs out a, "Well that's the easy way of doing it." Before the conversation moves onto the state of Southtown, "Well I wouldn't know about that, I wasn't here before the war happened so I've only experienced Southtown afterwards, it seems like a nice place to me now though." Caught off guard by the shift to talking about her education, Ibuki looks a bit sheepish, "Well I've been doing a lot of umm...well....self-study sent from my school while I look for one here, so still kinda up in the air really."
Slightly embarrassed by this she changes the subject again, "So why would you even be looking for a ninja? Got someone you want spied on?" It seems Ibuki intends to tease Yurika into a subject change.
Yurika, unfortunatly for Ibuki, is hardly derailed so easily. Her expression doesn't change in the slightest, just giving a small smile as her companion breaks out into laughter, and remains quiet a little longer after that. In a way it's actually sort of eerie, but only if one thinks about it too hard.
"It's decent at best," Yurika notes, "Of course I wouldn't fault you for enjoying this town, after all there is a significant amount of American culture here and for the most part it is rather.. Erm.. American. It's pretty influental. And what's this? Self-study?" Yurika seems a bit surprised by this, but there's also a gleam in her eye as she crosses her arms. "Well, if you believe I have closed my previous offer to you, that is not the case at all. I still believe you'd be a wonderful addition to our campus. But if anything, I'd prefer you not end up in Pacific.." she notes worriedly.
Then after that her brows raise just a bit to the question of ninjas, "No, the one I am looking for has an artifact that I am interested in." she replies. "And before you ask, no I do not need assistance."
"Well my hometown is pretty traditional, so I do admit I'm a bit biased." Ibuki's grin is again a tad sheepish but she nods her head, "Nothing wrong with American culture, I personally think it's pretty cool but maybe my distance from it makes it seem more interesting." Pondering aloud as she taps her chin thoughtfully before things switch back to her education and the brown haired girl nods, "Yeah self-study, they send me my work and expect me to look over my lessons and send back my homework at least till I transfer." Eybrows raise slightly as Yurika reminds her of that offer, "Well I've not check out all the schools yet, though I did rather like Taiyo...Seijyun's not bad though!" She raises a hand and waves it preventatively, "...Just...well...you don't have any boys here." That sheepish grin again, "Not that, that is all I think about! I would just like guys in class....and stuff."
Tilting her head slightly, "Hmm not been to Pacific though I thought they catered to foreign students mainly, am I wrong about that?" Then Yurika continues with what she's seeking from the ninja and suddenly Ibuki has feeling in the pit of her gut about that, "What sort of artifact? This is still a make believe situation right...since ninja don't exist after all?" Those brown eyes a bit sharper as they focus on Yurika.
"T- Traditional?" Yurika repeats with considerable greater interest. That's the magic word for the musician; and it'd be such a waste for that.. For tradition to whittle away behind the walls of Taiyo! It's simple for her not to cringe at the mention of such a school but she most certainly wants to. "That does sound rather inconvenient, but it's a system that works, for the most part.. It just cuts out a lot of what could otherwise be free time. Quite inconvenient."
Her dark eyes lock with Ibuki's, and she finds herself unable to get a good lock on what may be going through the other girl's mind. Regardless, she cosiders it a waste of time to continue that path with Ibuki at this point, "I already said 'no thank you', Ibuki. Now as for Pacific, yes that is their draw for the most part. Though from what I understand they are keen on sporting stars as well. And, well, Taiyo seems like it'd.. Well, be a bit of a waste for someone of your calibur. As for Seijyun lacking in boys, well.. While it is true that there are no boys in class, perhaps you may be aware that the most fruitful relationships are the forbidden variety?" she asks with a small smile.
She lets that hang for a moment, than clarifies, "The strongest and most rewarding kind of love comes from two whom are forced to be apart, to skitter about in secret. It's quite exciting and romantic." And no one knows more about romance (even if it -is- mostly of the trashy variety), than our Kirishima.
"Yes very traditional." The girl practically moans, "Rice with every meal, usually fish of some sort too, being polite to your elders, very limited access to things like cellphones." Ibuki lists things about her home village that were so boring since they were so regimented, "Don't get me wrong I am grateful to my elders and love everyone in my hometown dearly, just I don't like having everything dictated to me because it's 'tradition' to do it that way." A single sharp nod is the initial reply to the comment on inconvenience, "Yeah it can be a bit of a drag though I get free time at odd times too that I'd not get at school."
Ibuki can be very difficult to read when she wants to be but right now she isn't as she frowns at Yurika, "Well I was just curious." Her tone sing songing. As the conversation moves back to the schools she nods her head, "Hmm well I do like sports but I'm not a sporting star I don't think." Again that sheepish smile is flashed, "Oh? I really liked it everyone there was so nice and they have some really nice facilities and cute boys....hmm?" Brown eyebrows rise up again as she cants her head to the side with a slightly confused look as she regards Yurika, "Forbidden?"
The thoughtful look on Ibuki's face slowly morphs into a slight blush from what Yurika is implying, there was something in that scenario that spoke to the ninja girl as in her village Ibuki had always been the rule breaker and one to defy tradition when she could and the forbidden romance did smack of rebellion to her, "Well...but...maybe you're right but what if I really like the guy and can't see him much but I want to see him all the time I'll be miserable when I'm at school!! I mean I couldn't even eat lunch with him really." Her voice wavering in indecisiveness.
"I will admit, 'tradition' in general is a bit old fashioned in this day and age," Yurika concedes, "However it's core would be considered timeless.. But I'm sure you don't wish to hear me blather about philosophy all evening so I'll spare you." beat. "This time." with a playful chuckle.
Yurika had to resist raising a hand to her forehead as if she were about to get a headache. It was almost as if boys were a forbidden fruit already to the perky schoolgirl and all she could do was shake her head. "I.. Well, yes, but there is more you should be looking into than that, of course. Taiyo is a rather 'colorful' school, even I can see they aren't complete degenerates."
"A fair question," she then notes to Ibuki's final query, "It isn't any fun for me to provide you all of the answers to the multiple trials you'd face. Maybe you would be miserable in school, maybe you wouldn't. But in the end there's always solutions and alternatives." she murmurs, "The only way to find out is to experience it. Besides it isn't like you would be chained down, in theory you could end up breaking free to elope to America." Not that she would allow that, of course.
The nod from Ibuki shows her relief at not being lectured on the nature of tradition, she got enough of that at home, thus as the subject moves to there being more to school than boys, the girl grins, "Well yes, of course there is, there's the level of the curriculum, what colleges are affiliated with the school, availability of scholarships, quality of the facilities and faculty....heck if you get nit picky even what sort of food they serve in the cafeteria. Just because I like on particular feature don't think I don't do my homework on the rest." The grin morphs into a smirk, "Like I said Taiyo has excellent facilites, cute boys, and seems to have a really energetic student body. All things I enjoy!" It seems she's not blind to other things.
Yurika's answer draws a odd look from Ibuki, "I know you couldn't but I was more pointing out it's something to be considered when romance is something you're looking for." A chuckle escapes her lips, "I'd not do something like that though...if I /really/ love the guy maybe. I really do want an a good education and to go to college so running off to America to elope doesn't quite fit into that, you know?"
Looking suddenly serious Ibuki decides to make Yurika dance a little so to speak, "Alright, compared to the other three schools what are Seijyun's best three features?" A pointed grin then forms on her features, "Then what are Seijyun's worst three features compared to the other three schools in the area." It seems Ibuki also knows of Gedo's existance despite not naming it.
There's no hiding it, Yurika is impressed once Ibuki rattles off the list of many other important factors, some more social than others, "Hmn, touche', Ibuki.. And again, you are correct about Taiyo. And while I am not saying that such a place is a bad school, I would argue it would not be the best choice of facility to prepare you for the future. But enough being so smug about my school, I'm sure you get the point that I'd love to have you on my grounds but the choice in the end, of course, is yours."
She then tilts her head a touch, "True.. It'd be quite a story though."
Ah but how about that, it goes back to Seijyun after all! Yet Yurika doesn't seem very shaken up; she'd been doing this for quite some time after all, "The greatest three? Well that would be rather subjective, but I would say it'd be our value of tradition, ties to higher education and businesses, and a perfect balance of education and extracurricular activities. It isn't quite as prison-like as, say, Justice. Though I wouldn't say their strict curriculum and vision is ineffective.."
"Th worst three, our sports teams are not quite up to the standards of other schools. We're strict about rules, especially boys on campus, others are more lax- Simply put we do not put up with failure. It can be extremely difficult to fit in. There's a great social pressure upon these grounds, mostly between the delinquents and the prisses. If you're an ally of one you're guaranteed to be the enemy of the other."
"Well I'm not saying your offer doesn't interest me at all Yurika." Ibuki tightens her grip on her umbrella and sighs, "I guess what I'm looking for is a very normal average school life that gives me the opportunity to go to college once I finish up!" Warm brown eyes lock with Yurika's, "I think Seijyun could give me that with a good opportunity to go to a good college as well it's just not an easy decision to make."
Ibuki chuckles cheerfully.
Nodding her head it seems Ibuki's thoughts on Yurika's school wasn't off the mark at all, "Not sure I want to go into business...well directly into business." Ibuki flushes, "I'd not mind being a fashion designer or something like that...." Her cheeks go redder, "...or an Idol singer." Then her head bobs again, "Though a balance of education and extracurricular activities would be nice."
"You've mentioned the sports teams not being all that great last time we talked." Then a small dent in her smile is made about the no boys on campus rule and being strict about rules in general, Ibuki is naturally a non conformist. "Oh? There isn't any middle ground between the two?"
Seijyun's bell rings and reminds Ibuki of the time and her eyes widen, "Sorry I should be going, I have some of my self-study to finish today and I kinda slacked off to take this mind clearing walk in the driving rain." She chuckles, "Rain check to finish this another time?" A playful wink is given as she meets Yurika's gaze.
An idol singer? Well that was rather unexpected! Yurika's brows raise slightly again and a curt nod follows. "I respect those dreams," the musician then replies, obviously she couldn't see Ibuki as a pencil pusher or anything- At least not as she is right now. As for middle ground? "Not that I would admit to, I am part of the administration after all," she replies with a light giggle. Her gaze draws toward the sound of the Seijyun bells.
"It is not an easy decision, I agree. But good luck on whichever you choose- I would like to keep in touch no matter which you decide, all right? Thank you for you time." the Kirishima heiress motions into a curtsey even if she isn't wearing a skirt and turns to head back toward campus herself, "Though I would enjoy speaking again sometime; hopefully the weather would better support it."
Log created on 20:35:59 03/31/2011 by Ibuki, and last modified on 00:01:38 04/02/2011.