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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..."
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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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."
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"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.
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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."
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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.
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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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The engine roars to life. "Here we go."
Haruka can't pop a wheelie in a car, but she can peel out slightly showily - but not too much. Nothing that would make her seem like an irresponsible driver with a child in the car. This is fine. They have their art, and Haruka has hers. Hers has wheels, and gears, and an engine. Hers rumbles in the seat and fills her palms until they're tingling against the steering wheel. Hers roars to life and she melts into it, as if becoming one with the car. This is her canvas. This is her peace.
So that's why the other woman paints, thinks Haruka as they merge onto a busy street as smoothly as if it'd been deserted. Or, at least, it's a pretty good guess.
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Michiru lets herself watch for just half a moment longer.
"Oh yeah!" Chibiusa pipes up from the backseat. "So how'd you two meet?"
She wordlessly looks to her, then back to Haruka. Oh, there are any number of ways she could answer that one -- but she's teased the woman quite enough for the next few minutes at least. Perhaps she'd like to do the honors of answering, this time?
I GOT A LICENSE OVERSEAS
"Let's see...." she says once it becomes clear no help (or hindrance) will be coming from the front passenger seat. "A friend...introduced us."
By inviting her. To Michiru's usual workplace. After a fashion.
It's still technically true, all right?
:) :)
"Ooh, that's nice!" Chibiusa plants her face between her palms, seeming to have no problem picturing this. Luckily for Haruka, it looks like she got off easy enough.
my link in my hmd to that screenshot expired, i'll have to redo it
"We're still getting to know each other," she amends, but Chibiusa doesn't seem to mind (or heed) this caveat. "That's what tonight is for!" she realizes, and then looks up at Michiru with a big smile. "Michiru-oneesan, you're going on a date!"
Michiru has been promoted, Haruka notices. It is better to notice that than any of the rest.
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Or were they supposed to be covering this up, too?
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"You better make sure she takes you to a good place," Chibiusa is lecturing Michiru. "Mamo-chan ALWAYS takes me ANYWHERE I want to go, and he ALWAYS pays. This is what a gentleman is supposed to do." And she nods, mouth scrunched up in what Haruka supposes she takes to be a wide, all-knowing expression.
Everybody's got opinions tonight. It's like they don't trust Haruka to live her own life.
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After all, considering the manners she'd displayed to date, it's quite the curious statement.
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Haruka blinks at the street - maybe she needs to clean her windshield? No, it's spotless - and focuses on the road, even as Michiru's attention turns back to her. Michiru. She has to keep thinking of this woman as "Michiru." No thoughts about the other name. With the kid. In the car.
"It's just coffee." Really, they're making a big deal out of such a small thing. She's just going to get coffee with someone. She can't afford to think of this in any other terms around Chibiusa.
But yes, she'll pay. It's unclear whether that can show on slightly pink cheeks, but she was planning on paying for the coffee. She doesn't think of this as a gentleman thing, though, so much as just the natural order of things. Haruka Tenoh races cars, holds open doors, and pays for coffee.
Perhaps that very nonchalance makes her a true gentleman?
"D'you have everything?" she asks Chibiusa - they are, after all, almost there. This is another thing Haruka Tenoh does. When she's responsible for something (or someone), she fulfills that responsibility.
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It's only a few minutes later when they've pulled up into her house, and she hops out of the car, bidding farewell to the front car window. "It was good meeting you, Michiru-oneesan! Thanks for today, Haruka-oneesan! Be sure to treat her properly on your date, okay? Bye-bye!"
She waves back at them the whole way to the front door, and then she's gone. Michiru's still smiling.
"Shall we, then?"
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She exhales, relaxing back into the seat, aware again of who she's got in the front seat. But getting too uptight at this point would be stupid. There's a few good coffee places around here, so: "Any requests?"
If not she'll pick. Haruka is a bit of an expert when it comes to places to get tiny fancy hot drinks. It's....well, if it's not a habit, it's still a preferred pastime.
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