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SPACE WHALES
Michiru's exhibition opened three days ago. "The Night Sky Reflected in the Ocean Waves", she called it. Oil on canvas, the pieces varying in size, but with the same theme running through them. A misty, sparkling indigo-blue, coming to life in dozens of shapes and forms.
Today, she was asked to make an appearance before a group of grade school students on a tour. She gladly agreed, of course. She's happy to discuss her work with anyone who's interested, and she's always gotten along well with children.
Michiru takes great pride in her work; her mother always said it was worthy of museums. Perhaps it's for that reason that she's never ventured beyond hidden little galleries like this one. It's incredibly pleasant, though; the gallery owner was thrilled to meet with her, and gave her a warm, hearty welcome. "It's an honor to be holding your exhibit here," he had said, and Michiru had bowed her head and responded "No, it's all mine".
It's no Louvre, to be sure, but she likes it just the way it is. Simple, comfortable. The glamor, she keeps to her night life.
"Kids," she hears the teacher call out as she approaches, hoping to quiet the large, chattering group with limited success. It's only once Michiru is standing in front of them, smiling warmly, that the children fall into silence. "This is Miss Kaioh Michiru, the artist behind the exhibition we're seeing today. Why don't we give her a nice, friendly hello?"
"Hello!" the children's voices resound in unison, those at the circle's edges drawing closer.
"Hello," she answers back, humbly tucking a lock of hair behind her ear before offering the teacher a small, polite bow. "Thank you for coming today, everyone. I can only hope you enjoy the exhibition. Before we start, why don't I tell you a bit about myself?"
The response is far more positive than the question would normally call for, but Michiru's used to it. "Yeah!" "Yes, please!"
She laughs a little, fondly. "Well, then..."
Today, she was asked to make an appearance before a group of grade school students on a tour. She gladly agreed, of course. She's happy to discuss her work with anyone who's interested, and she's always gotten along well with children.
Michiru takes great pride in her work; her mother always said it was worthy of museums. Perhaps it's for that reason that she's never ventured beyond hidden little galleries like this one. It's incredibly pleasant, though; the gallery owner was thrilled to meet with her, and gave her a warm, hearty welcome. "It's an honor to be holding your exhibit here," he had said, and Michiru had bowed her head and responded "No, it's all mine".
It's no Louvre, to be sure, but she likes it just the way it is. Simple, comfortable. The glamor, she keeps to her night life.
"Kids," she hears the teacher call out as she approaches, hoping to quiet the large, chattering group with limited success. It's only once Michiru is standing in front of them, smiling warmly, that the children fall into silence. "This is Miss Kaioh Michiru, the artist behind the exhibition we're seeing today. Why don't we give her a nice, friendly hello?"
"Hello!" the children's voices resound in unison, those at the circle's edges drawing closer.
"Hello," she answers back, humbly tucking a lock of hair behind her ear before offering the teacher a small, polite bow. "Thank you for coming today, everyone. I can only hope you enjoy the exhibition. Before we start, why don't I tell you a bit about myself?"
The response is far more positive than the question would normally call for, but Michiru's used to it. "Yeah!" "Yes, please!"
She laughs a little, fondly. "Well, then..."
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"Should I leave?" she asks in a low voice, staring the woman dead in the eyes, hoping she can see what Haruka isn't saying since she's made her excuses already: I wasn't following you. And I won't tell anyone.
She likes to think she only makes mistakes once, then learns from them. If Michiru - Umi - encompasses all of the above but doesn't want those paths overlapping, far be it from Haruka to try and smash them together. She doesn't know what this strange preoccupation she's got in her head about this woman is, or what it means, but she does know that it's her business, not the other woman's. The last thing she wants to be is in the way.
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The line has been crossed, hasn't it? Does she have anything to gain from shooing Haruka away now?
"If you'd like, you may stay." She angles her head to one side, sea-blue eyes narrowing something feline: "Or is my art too childish?"
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"It's - unusual," Haruka admits, having to break that gaze, but partially only so she can look at the closest piece. It's called 'Space' but it features...is that a whale? Hm. Yet, the colors....the sense of whimsy....
This isn't what she'd imagine this woman painting - if she'd been invited to consider that in the first place. She sticks her hands in her pockets, looking for all the world like an actual art critic. Now that she's been given permission - if permission with a warning - to be here, she can relax a little.
That's a funny feeling: the sensation of needing someone's approval to do something. It isn't bad, somehow, in this case. Haruka examines the painting, in profile, chin tipped up, with a reflective expression on her face. "But I don't dislike it."
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The corners of her eyes, though, crinkle with an honest hint of good humor. "But I do believe those are the first positive words I've heard from you yet. You're considerably more amiable in the daytime."
As opposed to, say, when waiting outside her workplace at three in the morning.
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Weird. She doesn't usually use words like that. This atmosphere, and the contemplation of Art, must have her in a thoughtful, almost academic mood. Which is kind of funny.
While she's at it, though, she might as well try a smile - because she isn't completely flubbing this encounter, right? Or rather, whether or not she's flubbing isn't up to her, so it doesn't matter. She can only do what she feels is best. If that's not what this woman wants to hear, so be it. "You were good, too. With the kids."
She's done seeing "Umi" just as a hostess. It had been her mistake to do that in the first place. Now if she could just convince her own mind to stop wondering what else there is to learn...she's never been curious about another person before, not really. Not enough to be bothered by questions about them when they weren't in her presence.
Not enough to wait for them at three a.m., not realizing what that would look like, just so she could see them when they weren't working. They need to move past that. And either away...or towards something else.
Haruka just has no idea what.
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"Thank you. You, as well." Her smile softens somewhat, but the teasing edge doesn't keep away for long. "The teacher seemed quite enchanted, too -- or is it always like this for you with women?"
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"Is it all right if I take a look around?" she asks, nodding to indicate that she'd like to start walking as they talk, the better to look at more of Umi's - no, of Michiru's art. "I missed the tour, too."
Not just question hour. She should do something about that tardiness.
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There's a lightness to her voice Michiru can't quite conceal. This situation is... awfully silly, isn't it? And likely a good deal more pleasant than it has any right to be. But she saw the look on Haruka's face when she walked in and noticed her, and she saw the look on her face when speaking with that child, as well. In light of that, Michiru finds she can't help but feel at ease in this woman's company.
So sure. She'll walk along.
It's a good few moments before she speaks up once more:
"You didn't come again. Even though I asked so nicely." It's not accusatory, nor is it particularly mournful; a mere statement of fact, colored, perhaps, by the slightest tinge of curiosity. Was it your pride, after all? Or something else?
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This time Haruka does manage to successfully get her throat clear. "I was busy," she says, scrutinizing the painting they're passing to see whether any of this art is more easily comprehended than the space whale. A mermaid? All-in on the ocean motif, huh? And the whimsy.
She'd rather not mention that she was busy driving past, turning her turn signal on, then back off again. Doing loops around the block. Purposely driving to the opposite side of town. Driving, and driving, and driving - until the person called "Tenoh Haruka" slipped away and there was only the sensation of speed, of tires on the road, of being herself by losing herself. The wind blows over the ocean. It doesn't linger in place.
Right now, though, it even appears a little bit self-conscious. "You looked?"
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"I told you, didn't I?" The words are smooth and cool as the lick of ocean waves; there's not a drop of self-consciousness to be found there. "You've caught my interest."
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She is going to get caught off-guard by everything this woman says, isn't she. Well, fine. Haruka stifles a laugh (she was mostly laughing at herself, anyway) and turns back to the other woman. Fine. If that's how they're going to play this, she'll invite trouble directly. Saves them both the time, and fits with the devil-take-all attitude she's been trying out.
"I don't have a set question hour," she offers - she's not sure she wants to share anything this woman might want to know, but it's better than even half-committing to visit at work again, since she's still...definitely not sure how she feels about that. Even this might just be an attempt to get her to return and spend money in Umi's workplace, but since they're away from that, she'll play along. For the moment.
To see what'll happen next. She only gets that feeling in this woman's presence, too.
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She tips her chin, rewarding the woman with a sidelong smile. "Miss Tenoh Haruka."
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"You've researched me." She'd never given a last name. She'd given a first one at the club with some reluctance - wasn't the type to give a pseudonym, so that at least had been real. Then that means this woman really was interested. Is this much dedication to making a sale typical...? Or...?
Why would that get her heart beating?
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"I don't normally pay attention to racing magazines and such, but your face is quite recognizable, after I've seen it once."
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"What had you been hoping from me?"
Might as well dig her own grave, lie in it, and toss the dirt back over her own head. That way she can at least say it was all according to her own will. If Tenoh Haruka is going to be outmatched by a woman she met at a club and again at a fancy art gallery, it'll be of her own volition --
The logic got messed up somewhere.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uaFlkyPi1I ryoya's r(y)omance r(y)eview pv is out!
Haruka had been on the verge of saying "there are children here" when she realizes she doesn't know why she wants to say that. Following that rabbit hole has her ears in danger of reddening, so she turns it into a laugh and runs a hand through her bangs. "Fair enough."
That hand lingers, taking its sweet time dropping, to allow herself just a moment more to puzzle through Michiru's words. Is she serious...? If she's not, this is some act.
"I...could give you a ride," she admits: it's the only thing she can think of to offer that doesn't feel like offering too much, despite their bad history with her and the car. "If you ever needed it."
She might not be thinking about the fact that "Umi" gets off work at 3 am, but that's all right. Her intentions are good. She thinks the other woman understands that now.
yooooo SWEET, thanks!! what a hot
It's another moment before she lowers her hand, exhaling with a slope of her shoulders. You'd think it was the funniest joke she's heard in a while.
"You could have coffee with me," Michiru offers her amendment, the amusement on her lips narrowing into coyness. "After this, maybe?"
i adore that even while head over heels in love, ryoya is a jealous little shit
"We'll have a little detour," she points out, but it's not like she's going to install a tiny kid in the front seat. Shotgun will, therefore, be free.
If you were interested.
i mean (looks at haruka) makes sense to me!!
"Until then, would the lauded art critic like to offer any further insight into my work?"
ryoya is haruka's bad attitude with michiru's talent for putdowns. she is unstoppable
She's also been put on the spot, so she turns back to the paintings to consider them anew. "She's pushy," Haruka decides. "That could make her work a pain - but she makes it work."
Wordplay free of charge. It sounded art-critic-like. Or something.
The hint of a smirk at the corners of her mouth imply this ruling is to be taken with several grains of salt.
all she's lacking is the ability to singlehandedly smite the earth
Not that she was looking for praise -- were she really, Haruka would be the last person she'd think to ask.
"You can learn a lot about an artist from their work," she muses aloud, "I've always believed that." And it seems Haruka's learned one thing, at the very least. Michiru can hardly argue with her assessment.
are we sure she *can't*
Haruka doesn't put a hand in front of her mouth to hide a smile when a chorus of little voices chime "Thank you, Miss Kaioh!" Her cheek muscles manage that just fine on their own. (Mostly.)
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Michiru leans down a bit to politely inquire: "You wouldn't mind me accompanying the two of you for a bit, would you?"
"Ooh! Michiru-san, you're coming with?"
"Mm, your friend and I have some catching up to do." She casts a sidelong glance Haruka's way, before returning her attention to her bubbly little conversation partner. "I'm sorry, I don't believe I've asked your name yet."
"It's Chibiusa!" She beams up at her, and Michiru's hand subconsciously presses over her mouth as it pulls into an utterly endeared smile.
"How cute! It's my pleasure."
"Mine too, mine too!"
If Haruka's not careful, she might end up having to wrestle Michiru's attention from this four feet tall elementary schooler.
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Chibiusa's attention, however, even as she starts to follow Haruka, is fully on Michiru. "Haruka-oneesan knows everybody," she informs Michiru - proudly, as if this were her feet and not the chauffeur's. "Because she's cool!
"Well," she amends, "she loses to Mamo-chan, but...."
Haruka makes a show of rooting in her pocket for her car keys. She got them here okay, so they must be around here somewhere....keys, keys....
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I GOT A LICENSE OVERSEAS
:) :)
my link in my hmd to that screenshot expired, i'll have to redo it
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