seaswept | SPACE WHALES

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..."

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Michiru's brow lifts, impressed -- be it with that little display of vocabulary or the fact Haruka has maintained positive conversation for a solid half-minute now is open to interpretation.

"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?"

Haruka isn't sure whether to clear her throat or laugh at that - this conversation is taking an odd and unexpected turn, not that she had any expectations to begin with. She winds up making a noise that's a cross between both. And a bit of a sigh for good measure. The fact that she manages to pull this off without sounding completely absurd is probably an answer to the other woman's question in and of itself.

"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.

"Gladly."

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?

Edited 2016-05-02 04:23 (UTC)

She'd noticed? Well, in retrospect, that makes sense, but...

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?"

Michiru's lashes paint long, dark shadows over her eyes as she studies Haruka's profile. She's not the type to say much in words, is she? But that only serves to draw her attention to the rest of her. Clever thing.

"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."

Ah -

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.

Edited 2016-05-03 02:28 (UTC)

How sweet, Michiru thinks, but her expression remains unchanged. "That's all right," she muses aloud instead, clasps her hands behind her back. "The things I want to know about you aren't ones to be asked in words, anyway."

She tips her chin, rewarding the woman with a sidelong smile. "Miss Tenoh Haruka."

Haruka's expression tightens. But only for half a second.

"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?

"My, I wouldn't go that far." There's an air of mock-offense to her words, one corner of her mouth twisting higher as she raises one eyebrow. What an accusation to make!

"I don't normally pay attention to racing magazines and such, but your face is quite recognizable, after I've seen it once."

"Artists have good memories." Stupid. Haruka tries to will her pulse back down to something approaching normal - not that it's been normal this whole time, drat this coincidence.

"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.

"Are you still going on about that?" The puzzled crease along Michiru's brow seems considerably more genuine this time, and she taps a finger to her cheek with a crane of the neck. "Hadn't I already answered?"

Edited 2016-05-03 18:05 (UTC)

"Th-"

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.

Michiru blinks up at her, confusion clinging to her features for a couple seconds longer -- and then she sharply tilts her head down, stifling a sputtered-out giggle in her palm. Through the tail end of her laughter, she manages: "If you think your services as a chauffeur are what I'm expecting, you've still got quite a ways to go!"

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?"

Laughter was...not what Haruka was going for, but since she seems to have honestly made the other woman happy, she can't help but feel oddly good about it, anyway. And since meeting this woman outside her workplace was what she'd hoped for from the beginning (was it? It was, huh. Why? She knows the answer - no, don't think about it), she tilts her head towards where the pink-haired girl is currently lecturing her friends on the Meaning of Art.

"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 don't mind one bit," Michiru answers, and a gleam of honest fondness flickers across her eyes. She likes you. She hopes you can tell.

"Until then, would the lauded art critic like to offer any further insight into my work?"

Haruka's...getting that impression, yes. It's somewhat unexpected, given their last encounter, but she'll take it.

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.

"Such high praise," Michiru retorts, but despite the wry drawl to her words, her smile seems rather pleased. "I'll be sure to treasure it."

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.

"I'll keep that in mind." Haruka lets her expression lighten again as she looks over the pieces, but the kids are starting to get restless and the teacher is starting to realize that casting glances at the other chaperone, who doesn't seem to be doing her job either, is no way to run a field trip. All right, everybody, get in a line....let's thank the artist one more time...

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.)

Michiru brightly returns the thanks, waving daintily at the line of children being ushered towards the exit. The girl chaperoned by Haruka hangs back, enthusiastically bidding her friends goodbye and 'see you tomorrow'. She dashes back towards the two of them, after. She really is adorable -- so energetic, too!

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.

"Let's go," Haruka says with half a smile, pitching her voice just a bit louder than normal to be sure both...charming young ladies she's escorting....can hear her. And not at all because she feels oddly left out of this conversation, despite it being about her (partially). She turns to lead the way out, with a nod for the teacher, who bows.

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....

"Oh, she's cool, is she?" Michiru repeats with a giggle. "And who is this Mamo-chan?"

Chibiusa puffs out her chest with a grin, as if she's just been waiting for this question to be asked. "He's the coolest! He's tall, and strong, and smart, and he's in college learning all sorts of complicated stuff, and he knows everything!" Then she sticks her little button nose up, sniffing in disdain. "My no-good older sister's dating him, but she doesn't deserve him one bit!"

"Is that so?" Michiru hums lightly, as if in consideration. "Maybe you could introduce me to him sometime, then."

"Watch your step." Haruka has reached the door and is holding it open for her bevy of lovely young ladies. This woman can't be serious, so Haruka isn't letting this conversation bother her. This is the resolution she is currently focusing on, very hard, within her head.

"No thanks!" Chibiusa tells Michiru. "You'd just steal him awaaaayy...." Holding her arms out like an airplane, she skips out the door and then turns around to grin, halfway to where Haruka'd parked the car. "Mamo-chan is mine, you know!"

Haruka has to manage half a smirk at that. She's met this Chiba guy in passing, and doesn't get what all the fuss is about. But the kid's insistence is kinda cute. Keep him, squirt. All yours. You or your sister. None left for anybody else.

Michiru meets the gesture with an appreciative little nod, stepping outside after Chibiusa. "I'm flattered you'd think so! I may well lose to you, though."

She breathes out a laugh as she watches her hop away towards the car, before turning to Haruka. "What a sweet girl," she comments. "I can see why your face gets like that when you look at her."

Haruka nods, feeling oddly lightened by the change of topic (though, she does what with her face?). Must be because she is fond of the kid. "They're a good family."

She has to hurry to unlock the door for Passenger No. 1, however, and then loops around to the other side of the car to perform this same honor for Passenger No. 2. In the front this time. Place of honor.

"Seatbelt," she warns Chibiusa while she waits for Michiru to join them: this is weird, this sense of normality even as her whole world has slipped from her control, but she's determined to ride it out. "Yeeeeesss," Chibiusa choruses, snapping herself in place, and Haruka nods. The girl's parents have trusted her with their child. Even if her own sense of the universe is tilted, she'll see Chibiusa home safely.

...She's doing whatever it is she does with her face, isn't she.

Edited 2016-05-06 03:21 (UTC)

She is, and it's really awfully endearing. She wonders if Haruka can tell when she does that?

Well, either way, pointing it out a second time would be redundant. Michiru simply smiles to herself, pleased, as she tucks herself into the seat beside Haruka and fastens her seatbelt.

There's a lot more she'd like to say to Haruka, of course. But they'll have ample time for that later -- for now, it only seems right to focus on their little company before she'll be dropped off.

"Do you draw, Chibiusa-chan?" she asks, tilting her head over the edge of her seat.

Chibiusa instantly perks up -- the pride she emanates is practically tangible. "Yeah, I do! A ton! Art's my favorite class in school, too! I got an A+ from my teacher on my last project!"

"I see! That's wonderful. Perhaps you'll get your own gallery show, someday."

"Hehhh, you think so, you think so?" She swings her legs and forth, clearly soaking in the praise. Michiru is more than happy to oblige -- she's only being honest, after all.

"I do. Looking beyond what's simply there is a crucial trait for an artist -- if you pursue that, you'll be able to express your own world through your art. I'd like to see the world you paint, Chibiusa-chan."

Chibiusa answers with a thoughtful little hum, nodding her head as she considers this. Then she concludes: "So it's not childish, huh?"

"I don't believe so." Michiru's smile slants by an inch as she taps a finger to her cheek. "Perhaps take Haruka-neesan's artistic judgement with a grain of salt, hmm?"

"She's a racer after all, right!"

"Mm-hmm!"

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uaFlkyPi1I ryoya's r(y)omance r(y)eview pv is out!

yooooo SWEET, thanks!! what a hot

i adore that even while head over heels in love, ryoya is a jealous little shit

i mean (looks at haruka) makes sense to me!!

ryoya is haruka's bad attitude with michiru's talent for putdowns. she is unstoppable

all she's lacking is the ability to singlehandedly smite the earth

are we sure she *can't*

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are we sure she can't