[ Video / Action ]

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ It's the afternoon when Subaru appears on the vine. She is seated on the edge of an open door facing outside the background obviously a traditional Japanese style building that long-term residents will recognize. The young woman is wearing a plain t-shirt and shorts, though she looks like she's been rolling around in the dirt. Her gaze is far away, like she didn't notice the mirror creeping up on her. Truth is, she just forgot about it in the brief few moments it took to coax it into unfurling for her. ]

...ah! Hi there. [ A smile. ] It's Subaru. I've been sort of keeping to myself lately since the incident with the sky pirates so I wanted to apologize to everyone, and see how you're all doing. [ It feels to her like she knows most of the Gardens by now, or has at least casually spoken with them all once or twice. That's almost as good as becoming her friend, in most cases. ]

I wanted to report on what I've been busy with! The roof of the inn is completely restored, now, so no more weird leaks or sudden noise from the wind. I'm also almost done building the swimming pool out back, but I'm still working on a pump and filter so that it won't end up looking like a murky pond after a few weeks, eheh...

[ Then her eyes are downcast, which does not go with her otherwise enthusiastic expression. ] I also... wanted to make a note that all the other rooms here are free, now, except my own. [ She pauses, looking over her shoulder into the building. ] I've been meaning to say something about it, but Vivio has been gone for some time. [ There is a sad smile there for that, but it's hard to tell with her turned away like that. ] I'm sure she's back at home, now, with her two mamas. ... I can't say I know what Suruga Kanbaru has gone home to, but I think it's the same for her. Her room was empty this morning except for the same kind of flower petals I swept away when Vivio disappeared.

[ After another pause, she turns back to the mirror, smiling a little easier even if it is a strain on her. ] So please, feel free to come visit at any time. You won't be a bother to me at all, and you can use any of the facilities here at your convenience. The onsen, the training mats in the corner rooms, the futons... even the kitchen and the ice cream maker! [ A wave. ] I think I'm going to go enjoy a cold treat right now, so I'll see you all later!


((ooc: Action available for anyone who wants to stop in at the inn! Whether it's while she's in the kitchen, out back working, or relaxing in the baths. o/))

Comments

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru nods and then lays her head on Katina's shoulder. ] That's right.

[ After a beat. ] ...did you hear? [ Her broadcast, that is. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

[ Katina strokes Subaru's hair and nods. ]

Yeah. Miss her already, huh?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ She clings a little tighter. ] Mm, I do. It was a little hard having her around, because you know I hate keeping secrets, but I didn't want to spoil how things had gone after her point in time... I always tried to make it sound like everything was fine and easy, because she doesn't need to carry all that around with her. [ Though she's not relieved about that at all. ]

[grandtheftmecha]

That just puts more pressure on you, though, knowing without being able to talk about it.

[ Even if that was a little stressful, though, it's obvious that having Vivio around more than made up for it. ]

She'll get around to all of it now, though. The painful stuff too, but it's part of life.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

It's really not all that bad. It's just... I know how much she was looking forward to the tournament. Telling her the outcome would just undermine all her hard work, you know? [ Even if it wasn't really like that, in the end. ] I liked seeing her motivated!

[grandtheftmecha]

Ah, that's not that serious in the grand scheme of things, though I'd sure hate to know how well I was or wasn't gonna do in advance. I'm sure she's gonna do great though.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

She'll definitely do her best. She always does. [ A little laugh. ] Vivio gets that from her mothers, that's for sure.

[grandtheftmecha]

So where do you get it from?

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru is quiet for a few beats. ] A few places, but it's something I decided for myself after Nanoha saved me.

[grandtheftmecha]

[ A bit of a serious question, then? ]

Sounds like she's encouraged a lot of people then.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ Subaru laughs quietly, and pulls away so she could look at Katina. ] They don't call her the "Ace of Aces" for nothing!

[grandtheftmecha]

That's a hell of a nickname. It's like... really blatantly 'she's the best around'. [ And nothing's gonna ever keep her down. ]

I mean, even I'm never gonna have anything like that.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Eheh, well I guess, but it's really just a nickname. They call me the "Silver Ace" after all, but you can't really put the two of us on the same level. [ Ever. ]

[ She brings a hand up to Katina's cheek. ] Just because you don't have a title, it doesn't make you any less awesome or important to me.

[grandtheftmecha]

Oh wow. Silver Ace sounds good too, and here I am barely an ace to begin with. I need to hurry up and do something amazing.

[ She leans against Subaru's hand. ] Glad I don't have to convince you of it though.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ A giggle. ] I think you handled that flying machine better than I ever could have.

[grandtheftmecha]

Hey, it's kind of my job to fly machines. You could learn if you wanted.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Eheh, learning that from you would be kind of nice, but I haven't seen any of those around since that all ended.

[grandtheftmecha]

It's a thought, but probably nothing for the near future.

[ Her hands move to rest on Subaru's hips. ]

No rush.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ A gentle nod. ] I'm not in any hurry. I'm not too certain about the future, anyway. [ Which is... not all that reassuring. But if people close to her keep vanishing...? ]

[grandtheftmecha]

The future's the future, even when you're somewhere that isn't in a crazy woman's control.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

[ She goes back to laying against Katina. ] If I had a choice, I'd rather have a future with everyone in it.

[grandtheftmecha]

Yeah.

[ Instead of going home and never seeing each other again. ] We've got the right stuff to figure it out.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Mm! We'll definitely get through it, together.

[grandtheftmecha]

We sure as hell will. It's just taking a while to get outta here.

[of_the_highest_caliber]

Right, right! [ Subaru squeezes Katina briefly. ] So... did you come here just to check up on me? [ There are few other reasons but. ] Thank you.